Six Nations: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton claims there is work to do ahead of trip to Paris

Dylan Coetzee

File photo dated 06-11-2021 of Ireland's Johnny Sexton. Wales captain Dan Biggar says that Johnny Sexton “would be very near the top” in terms of a most difficult opponent during his rugby career. Issue date: Monday January 31, 2022.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton believes his side have work to do despite completely dominating defending champions Wales in Dublin. 

An early Bundee Aki try set the wheels in motion for Andrew Conway to add two of his own, and a Gary Ringrose solo effort sealed the 29-7 bonus-point victory.

Comprehensive performance

The Irish were in the driver’s seat from the outset and throughout against a depleted Wales who managed to finally get points on the board with a late try by Taine Basham – the best Welsh player on the day.

The resounding result was in stark contrast to 12 months ago when Ireland suffered a damaging first-round defeat in Cardiff.

However, Sexton knows his side need to keep focused ahead of their daunting trip to Paris next weekend.

“I can’t tell you how demoralising it is when you go back to last year, first game sitting in the dressing room with nothing to show for all of your efforts: Triple Crown gone, Grand Slam gone and up against it to win a championship,” he said.

“That’s what we’re pleased with most.

“We feel there was plenty of stuff to brush up on for next week because France away is arguably one of the biggest tests in world rugby, so we need to be at our very best and we need to learn some lessons from today, even in victory.

“I think we did that well over November and hopefully we continue in that vein.”

Having gone through a transitional phase, 2018 Grand Slam champions Ireland are beginning to look the real deal again after an outstanding autumn, which included glory against New Zealand.

Wales arrived at a sold-out Aviva Stadium without a host of key men due to injury, including captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Wayne Pivac’s visitors – who upset the odds to lift a 28th championship in 2021 – never got going and were outclassed from start to finish on a torrid afternoon played in blustery conditions.

Ireland head coach Farrell was pleased with his side’s professionalism and echoed Sexton’s comments about scope for further development.

“To get a bonus-point win against a side like Wales is no mean feat,” said Farrell.

“Really pleased with certain aspects of our game and, like all first games are going to be, there’s plenty to work on as well.

“The conditions were terrible out there. It was really, really difficult to kick in, to play in, it was slippery, it was blustery, it was tough.

“So, bringing all that together, Wales come here to win and to do a job on us and to be able to get a bonus-point win, we’re delighted with that.

“I thought our discipline and decision-making was great.”

After Ireland’s superiority only yielded a 10-0 lead at the break, they swiftly took the game away from their opponents early in the second half.

Sexton received on-field treatment during that period after being clattered by makeshift Wales centre Josh Adams, who was shown a yellow card.

“I’m OK,” replied Sexton, when asked about the incident. “It was dealt with on the pitch.

“I can’t really answer (if it was reckless) because I was on the receiving end. You’ll have to ask him about what his intentions were.

“It’s one of those things, a bouncing ball, and we made them pay with a couple of tries.”

READ MORE: Dan Biggar laments Wales’ lack of physicality