Sexton ‘compliment’ to Welsh counterpart

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton believes Wales counterpart Alun Wyn Jones “is a great example” of a player who can pressure referees.

The experienced duo will go head to head when their teams meet in Dublin today.

Fly-half Sexton replaced retired hooker Rory Best as Ireland skipper ahead of the Guinness Six Nations and felt his team were on the receiving end of some puzzling penalty calls from French referee Mathieu Raynal during the 19-12 opening-weekend win over Scotland.

The 34-year-old is keen to avoid a repeat and pointed to Welsh lock Wyn Jones as a prime example of someone who has the personality to pressurise match officials into reviewing decisions.

“Some of the best captains I ever watched growing up, they seemed to put the pressure on the refs quite well, and Alun Wyn Jones is a great example. He has that balance right, he has a good relationship with them but he’s able to apply pressure at times and sometimes get them to check things,” he said.

Today’s fixture, which could have a major bearing on the destination of this year’s title, will feature another French official, Romain Poite.

Sexton has sought advice from former Ireland captains about how to conduct himself with regard to referees.

Wales completed last year’s tournament clean sweep with a convincing 25-7 victory over Ireland on a rain-soaked evening in Cardiff.

The memory of that result, which ended Ireland’s hopes of retaining the Six Nations title after they had refused permission for the Principality Stadium roof to be closed, still stings Sexton.

Testing weather conditions are again forecast this weekend and the Leinster man hopes his team can whip up the home crowd with an improved performance after being disappointed with the “flat” atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium against Scotland.

Picture: PA. Johnny Sexton will lead Ireland against visitors Wales today.