Skipper Sexton happy to ‘stay alive’ in championship

Johnny Sexton says Ireland have lessons to learn following an unconvincing win over Scotland but being “alive” in the Six Nations is the most important thing.

Scotland arrived at the Arriva Stadium as heavy underdogs but came close to springing an upset.

Having been grand slam champions in 2018, Ireland failed to mount a title defence last year after losing their opening match to England. With that disappointment in mind, captain Sexton, who scored all his side’s points in their 19-12 win, is content to grind out points to stay in contention for the championship while they adapt to the style of new head coach Farrell.

“Last year we had the England game here, Triple Crown gone, Grand Slam gone, uphill battle to try to even win a championship,” he said. “So we’re alive and that’s where we want to be. It’s always difficult to come together and to have a perfect game but I thought we showed glimpses of what we could do. Lots of lessons in there for us to learn and get better from.”

Sexton only resumed full training last week after suffering knee damage in early December and Farrell hailed the 34-year-old’s desire to return and subsequent display as a “magnificent effort”.

Farrell said: “For him not to touch a ball and not to fight in anger until probably Thursday, that says it all about the man, doesn’t it really?

“To have the pressures of doing something he passionately wanted to do, to lead his country for the first time, and all of those new bits that come in around that and then deal with coming back from such an injury and leading the side like he did, hats off to Johnny, that’s a magnificent effort.”