Johnny Sexton headed to Paris, in 2013, seeking the Bouclier de Brennus. Two years on, he will return to Dublin empty-handed.
Sexton’s Racing Métro were roasted alive by Stade Francais, last night. Racing’s Parisian rivals dominated the scrum, in their 38-15 victory, and Morné Steyn, their Springbok out-half, took every penalty chance he got.
In total, Racing conceded 17 penalties. Stade opted to kick eight of them and Steyn got them all, including this 60-metre monster.
Sexton kicked two from three. He copped some [online] flak for this conversion miss – after Jamie Roberts’ 57th minute try – but it was by no means easy.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Sexton’s final game with Racing was his kicking out of hand.
The Irish out-half was substituted after 76 minutes when the jig was already up.
From an Irish perspective, Sexton will now miss out on a Top 14 semi-final and final and all the risks games of such importance incur.