Sexton loves playing to the crowd

JOHNNY SEXTON is thankful that there will be a full house in Dublin next Saturday for Ireland’s Six Nations opener.

The Aviva Stadium was packed to the rafters for the November triumph over New Zealand.

But prior to that Ireland played in front of empty stands or limited capacity crowds due to government restrictions on spectator numbers – and the 2021 championship was played disappointingly behind closed doors.

There was a possibility that, following the return of restrictions just before Christmas as the Omicron wave hit, this year’s Six Nations would see only 5,000 fans admitted for the clash with Wales next weekend.

Restrictions were lifted again last Saturday and Sexton (right) admitted: “It would have been more difficult to play in front of empty stands again after having had a taste of what it used to be like in November. We got very used to playing in front of empty stadiums.

“And I remember even my first game back this season was in front of 10,000 in the Aviva Stadium in a pre-season friendly and I felt like I was playing in the final of a European Cup.

“I was that excited to play in front of people again and then you have an experience like Japan or New Zealand or Argentina where you’ve got all your family and friends there. And to go back to an empty stadium would have been such a big let-down to the players.

“But thankfully the government has lifted restrictions and we thank them a lot for that because it’s special for us to do what you love doing in front of the people who matter most, and that’s the people of Ireland.

“I’m looking forward to it immensely.”