Sexton praises defence coach Farrell as Ireland clinch the Grand Slam
Ireland stand-off Johnny Sexton hailed the influence of English defence coach Andy Farrell as the Six Nations champions revelled in completing their third Grand Slam in the competition’s 135-year history.
In a momentous campaign Ireland completed the clean sweep by beating England 24-15 at Twickenham on Saturday.
Ireland hit England with three first-half tries, and although the home team eventually accumulated the same number in reply, Sexton said: “We saved our best performance for last which is always very satisfying, and some of our defence was incredible. We made Andy proud on the first day back in Twickenham for him.”
Sexton also praised New Zealander head coach Joe Schmidt, saying: “He is an incredible coach and his record with Irish teams speaks for itself. He was three years with Leinster and got six finals. Now five years with ireland and we have won three Championships and a Grand Slam.
“It was blatantly obvious to the older guys – Keith Earls, myself, Rob [Kearney], Rory [Best] – that we wanted to win a Grand Slam so we spoke about it at the start of the Six Nations and then parked it and went game by game.”
Ireland made their first mark in the sixth minute when a Sexton kick was spilled by Anthony Watson on his own whitewash to enable Garry Ringrose to touch down.
An English attacking lineout was well defended and there was more misery for England when Maro Itoje strayed offside.
A line-out was worked out to Tadhg Furlong and when Bundee Aki came racing through there was support on either shoulder, but it was CJ Stander who was picked out to score.
England sent four penalties into the corner in pursuit of a try that eventually came when Owen Farrell chipped into the left corner for Elliot Daly to touch down.
Peter O’mahony had been sent to the sin-bin, Anthony Watson was stretchered off and Sexton left for an HIA as any hope of English momentum disappeared.
Ireland made them pay, exploiting a tight blindside before Jacob Stockdale burst free, chipped ahead and beat the cover to finish a brilliant solo try.
Daly’s high tackle on Rob Kearney ended another England attack and when Conor Murray landed a penalty, the champions were out of sight.
Finally there was a spark of imagination in the home ranks as quick hands sent Daly over and Jonny May was able to grab an injury-time try.