Johnny & Faz eye a World Cup

against France,” he said. “That was probably the low point, a real low point for me. And this is a high point - but I hope it’s not the highest point.

“To come here and win a Grand Slam, it was an incredibly special day and we need to go and enjoy it over the next couple of days.”

Ireland boss Andy Farrell (above) added: “I’ve just been saying to Johnny that there’s bigger fish to fry than this, you know?

“We’re on to the World Cup... no we’re not, we’re going to enjoy the next 48 hours 100%!

“But we’re a good side that’s nowhere near reached our potential.

“For captain Johnny here to finish his Six Nations campaign, he’s been saying all week that this is what dreams are made of, it doesn’t come around that often.

“It’s unbelievably fitting that in my opinion the best player ever to play for Ireland is able to sign off on a Grand Slam on St Patrick’s weekend in front of his home crowd. There are a lot of stars that have aligned over the last eight weeks and accumulated into this evening.

“We’ll get a few people back to compete and to train hard and, you know, everyone is going to get better in the summer.

“We’ll spend a lot more time together so we expect our side when we get to the first game of the World Cup to be a lot better than we are. That’s the reality.”

Asked how he was feeling after winning his first major silverware as Ireland boss, Farrell replied: “I don’t actually know. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry or be a bit sad!

“It’s a weird feeling at this moment in time. I’m just elated for the boys to get it over the line because it meant so much to them, especially being here at home and only the fourth one in Irish history.”

Reigning World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier lauded Sexton, who limped off in the 74th minute with a recurrence of a groin injury. “He’s a hero, what a man,” said van der Flier.