I'M JOHNNY SIXTON

Ireland skipper reaffirms his affection for the championship ahead of final fling

- MICHAEL SCULLY

LOVING the Six Nations started early for Johnny Sexton , who wants his final championship to  in triumph. Memories of the grand old tournament flood back to the vet eran as he reflects on its allure from Ireland’s training camp in Portugal. It is the calm before the storm that awaits the men in green when they arrive at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. “I remember going to loads of games,” Sexton said. “I don’t remember the details too much but I just remember being in the stadium for a Scotland game.

“The Scottish guy beside me fell asleep for the game. I was eight years old and spent most of my time looking at him wondering why he was asleep. Whatever was in his flagon in his hip pocket might have had something to do with it!

“But memories like that... Keith Wood, I remember the air of excitement around when he got the ball.”

This will be Sexton’s 14th championship. In that time he has won one Grand Slam, three Six Nations titles and two Triple Crowns.