Rugby: Sexton ‘dreaming’ of Irish Grand Slam on home soil

EDINBURGH – Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said the chance to clinch a Grand Slam on home soil against England this Saturday is the “stuff of dreams” after his side defeated Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Sexton moved level with his predecessor at fly half, Ronan O’Gara, as the highest points scorer in Six Nations history on 557 with a penalty and two conversions.

But it was Mack Hansen who made the difference for the injury-hit visitors as he scored one and helped set up Ireland’s other two tries, scored by James Lowe and Jack Conan.

Victory over an England side, who were smashed 53-10 by second-placed France last Saturday at Twickenham, would secure just a fourth Grand Slam in Irish history.

“It would be stuff of dreams really. It’s what you grow up wanting to do,” said Sexton.

“We need to just get down to business and have a big performance because they will be hurting from yesterday, wanting to show what playing for England means for them.

“They are a good team, a better team than they showed yesterday.”

Sexton could be set for an even more special day, by moving outright as the tournament’s top scorer to go with a Slam.

“Rog (O’Gara) will be trying to pay me off to retire now,” added Sexton. “It’s a nice thing. Hopefully (I’ll) get back on the pitch next week. It’s all about winning.

“These other things come along but they are not in the forefront of my mind.”

Ireland’s boss Andy Farrell paid tribute to his world No. 1 side’s character as they got the job done in Edinburgh, despite losing five players to injury.

Caelan Doris, Iain Henderson and Dan Sheehan were all forced off before half-time.

Ronan Kelleher’s departure early in the second half left Ireland without a recognised hooker, while Garry Ringrose was stretchered off with a head knock.

“It was immense,” said Farrell. “Obviously it wasn’t champagne rugby all round. But, in terms of character, fight and want for each other, that’s the best game I’ve ever been involved in.”

Scotland had their best start to a Six Nations tournament with victories over England and Wales.

But Gregor Townsend’s men had a reality check after also losing to world No. 2 France two weeks ago.

He was left frustrated as the hosts let the game slip away after an attritional first 40 minutes ended with Ireland leading just 8-7.

“I felt both teams’ energy dropped in the second half because it was such an open game, physical game,” said Townsend.

“It was there to be grabbed and it was Ireland who grabbed it.”

“Today, first half was some of the best rugby we’ve played because of the quality of the opposition,” he added. “But 40 or 50 minutes isn’t good enough.”

The sides will meet again at the World Cup in France in October, with holders South Africa in a tough Pool B alongside Tonga and Romania. AFP