Sexton ready to renew bittersweet Paris affair

From being mobbed by his team-mates after his last-gasp winning drop goal in 2018 to the shake of the head on being replaced in the defeat by France two years later, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions at the Stade de France.

The 36-year-old legendary flyhalf says France's national stadium has played a "big part" in his stellar career and it is the 2020 performance that motivates him to "bounce back" in the clash of the Six Nations favourites on Saturday.

While some interpreted his shake of the head at being taken off during the 35-27 defeat in 2020 as insubordination towards head coach Andy Farrell, he says it was quite the opposite.

"It was a little bit of everything," he said. "We did not get our prep right and a huge amount of that is down to the captain.

"We did not get our performance right on the day and all that stuff written about my reaction coming off was as much disappointment in myself as not playing as I wanted to.

"A small mistake can be magnified but it makes you stronger and you want to bounce back and prove people wrong."

Certainly the French have never missed an opportunity to rile Sexton who played for Top 14 side Racing 92 between 2013-15.

Last year, in the lead-up to the Ireland match, his former French doctor spoke about fears for his health due to the number of concussions he had suffered.

A seething Sexton described the comments as "inappropriate and upsetting for my family".

This year it has been former France coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who said Ireland possibly play better without Sexton.

His argument is undermined by the fact Ireland are on a nine-match Test winning run with Sexton having played in the vast majority of them.

'Better for the experience'

Sexton