SIX NATIONS
Sexton and Farrell have key roles as Ireland eye Slam
London — Ireland have long looked to Jonathan Sexton and England to Owen Farrell, and the pair will be central figures again when the Irish bid for a Grand Slam at Twickenham on Saturday. The pair formed a highly effective midfield duo during the British and Irish Lions drawn series in New Zealand in 2017. But that will all be forgotten for at least 80 minutes at Twickenham when Ireland, already crowned Six Nations champions, attempt to record just a third Championship clean sweep to set alongside their 1948 and 2009 triumphs. They may not be direct opponents, with Sexton at flyhalf and Farrell deployed by England at inside centre, but both men are key playmakers for their respective sides. That Ireland are in a position to complete a Slam owes much to Sexton’s last-ditch drop goal, which, on the back of superb work by his forwards, sealed a come-from-behind victory over France in their tournament opener. It was an example of Sexton’s ice-cool demeanour, but the 32-year-old is far m...
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