Johnny Sexton

Finn Russell with daughter Skye after helping Bath beat Leicester in the Gallagher Premiership final at the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham on Saturday.

Finn Russell in gentle Lions introduction but one Scot remains absent

Tensions run high during Scotland's match against Ireland at the Rugby World Cup in Paris after Ollie Smith, left, had tripped Johnny Sexton, right. Bundee Aki and George Turner try to intervene. (Photo by JEANNE ACCORSINI/SIPA/Shutterstock)

Ollie Smith opens up on 'stupid, brain fart' Johnny Sexton trip at World Cup

The dejected look on the Scotland players' faces says it all after a comprehensive Rugby World Cup defeat by Ireland ended their hopes of progression.

Scotland's World Cup hopes shredded by Ireland on painful night in Paris

Second row Iain Henderson has been brought in for Ireland's match against Scotland.

Ireland make two changes to team for Scotland in Paris showdown

Scotland's Finn Russell in action against Ireland during this year's Six Nations. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Scotland and Ireland pair Russell and Sexton have more in common than meets eye

Scotland talisman Finn Russell is excited by the prospect of taking on Ireland in Paris.

Russell tells Scotland to play with swagger as he anticipates Irish verbals

Johnny Sexton celebrates Ireland's crucial 13-8 win over South Africa.

Ireland brush aside complacency and say full focus is on Scotland

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw celebrates the victory at the end of the Rugby World Cup Pool B match against South Africa at the Stade de France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Rugby World Cup: How Scotland's group looks after Ireland defeat South Africa

Mack Hansen has been promoted to Ireland's starting XV for the match against Tonga.

Ireland name strong team to face Tonga ahead of South Africa showdown

Ireland lock Joe McCarthy runs in for a try during the Rugby World Cup win over Romania. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

Ireland crush Romania after shock start as Scotland's Pool B rivals clash

France coach Fabien Galthie looks on during the captain's run ahead of facing New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup news: England, Ireland and Wales pick teams

Johnny Sexton will be free to play for Ireland at the World Cup.

Sexton escapes World Cup ban as Irish talisman gets green light to play Scotland

Johnny Sexton reacts after Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Johnny Sexton misconduct charge may affect Rugby World Cup preparations

Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu have been named in the Guinness Six Nations Team of the Championship. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones Six Nations accolade is well deserved

Stuart Hogg's 100th Scotland cap will add an extra emotional edge to Sunday's match with Ireland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Townsend challenges Scotland to beat ‘the best Ireland side we’ve faced’

Tadhg Furlong is back in the Ireland team for Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland.

Furlong returns amid big Irish changes for Scotland Six Nations clash

Clubs in Scotland are to be consulted on tackle height.

Scottish Rugby consults on tackle height being lowered in community game

Gregor Townsend and Finn Russell repaired their relationship during lockdown but the fly-half has been dropped from Scotland's autumn squad. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Townsend’s Scotland Test career ended at 30 - will Russell’s go the same way?

Garry Ringrose scored one of Ireland's tries in their extraordinary triumph over New Zealand.

Ireland beat All Blacks again to seal historic tour success in New Zealand

Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Bulls at experience disadvantage to Leinster in URC semi

Jamison Gibson-Park will be a serious threat to Glasgow Warriors when they face Leinster.

Allan Massie: By 8pm it's likely to be over for Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors

Conor Murray of Ireland goes over to score his side's fourth try during the Six Nations clash against Scotland.

Scotland's Six Nations campaign ends with whimper in Dublin

Scotland could be deprived the services of captain Stuart Hogg in English players refuse to release players for the France match. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS

Release of English-based players is vital to Six Nations’ integrity

Scotland's Huw Jones drives through for a try during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Scotland suffer late agony against Ireland

Johnny Sexton of Ireland kicks the winning penalty during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield on March 14, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Ireland coach admits untidy win over Scotland 'wasn't for the purists'

Scotland's Stuart Hogg, centre, reacts at the end of the Six Nations rugby union match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sunday, March 14, 2021. Ireland won the game 27-24. (Jane Barlow/Pool Via AP)

Scotland v Ireland: Six Nations Player Ratings

Scotland's Stuart Hogg with Johnny Sexton at full time after the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Six Nations table: Where Scotland's defeat to Ireland leaves the standings

Finn Russell's box of tricks includes footballer prowess with the ball at his feet and this would bring him Scotland's first-half try

The try needed checking but Hogg had used his chin. It was that kind of game.

Ireland's Jacob Stockdale has been left out of the Six Nations squad.

Six Nations: Jacob Stockdale ‘not available’ as Ireland name squad

Uncapped Ulster prop Eric O’Sullivan has been named among the replacements and could make his international debut against Scotland. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

One uncapped player in Ireland squad to face Scotland

Ireland lock James Ryan, centre, says there is much to improve on ahead of the Scotland game. Picture: Brian Lawless/AFP via Getty Images

Ireland plan inquest ahead of Scotland match

Edinburgh's Duhan van der Merwe's outstanding form of last season saw him voted Pro14 player of the year by his fellow pros.

Edinburgh winger is ready for Scotland call

Adam Hastings had a poor game in Rome but his international career is still developing. Picture: SNS/SRU

Allan Massie: Sad to see as Time snaps at the heels of Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny S...

CJ Stander was impressive again for Ireland. Picture: Getty

Ireland 24 - 14 Wales: Stander excels again as hosts sink holders

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong tackles Scotland centre Sam Johnson as the visitors came up short on the road once again. Picture: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images

Encouraging signs in Dublin defeat but Scotland still need to improve

Stuart Hogg fumbled the ball when he looked certain to score a try. Picture: Getty Images

Ireland 19-12 Scotland: Agony as Stuart Hogg drops ball over the line

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, says his team will need to be fully switched on to deal with the threat of Scotlands Adam Hastings. Picture: SNS/SRU.

Irish just as wary of Adam Hastings as they would have been of Finn Russell

Ahead of schedule: Johnny Sexton

Six Nations 2020: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton 'ahead of schedule' in injury co...

Joey Carbery is out of the Six Nations opener against Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

Six Nations: Ireland lose Joey Carbery for Scotland game and sweat over Johnny S...

Joey Carberys injury makes him a doubt to face Scotland. Picture: SNS.

Joey Carbery injury poses Six Nations worry for Ireland

Racing 92's Scottish stand-off Finn Russell reacts after scoring a try against Munster. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

Watch Finn Russell nutmeg opponent for brilliant Heineken Cup try for Racing 92

Ireland's Johnny Sexton scores his team's fourth try. Pic: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Ireland 47 - 5 Samoa: Ireland overcome red card to make quarter finals
Johnny Sexton’s two-try turn dragged 14-man Ireland to the World Cup quarter-finals but Bundee Aki’s red card in the 47-5 win over Samoa could end his tournamen...

Ireland's players celebrate victory over Russia

Ireland 35 Russia 0: Joe Schmidt's side subdue Russia but injury fears could hav...

Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor is confident the performance will be vastly improved against Samoa on Monday. Picture: SRU/SNS

Rugby World Cup: Now defence coach Matt Taylor says Scotland keen to "smash" Sam...

Beauden Barrett can be employed as a number ten or a full-back (Getty Images)

Rugby World Cup 2019: key players to watch in the group stages and knockout roun...

Full-back Stuart Hogg looks despondent as Ireland wing Andrew Conway scores his side's fourth try in a harrowing World Cup opener for Scotland in rain-lashed Yokohama. Picture: Getty Images

Ireland 27 Scotland 3: Scotland smashed by Ireland in Rugby World Cup opener

Scotland didn't hold back in targeting Ireland star Johnny Sexton in this year's Six Nations. Picture: SRU/SNS

Rugby World Cup: Scotland ready to "smash" Irish darling Johnny Sexton again

Gavin Hastings believes if Finn Russell was from New Zealand or Australia he would receive more plaudits. Picture: Getty Images

Ireland v Scotland: Finn Russell-Johnny Sexton battle at 10 is key say Gavin Has...

Scotland's Ryan Wilson tackles Ireland's Johnny Sexton during the Six Nations.

Rugby World Cup: Ireland playmakers Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray backed to 'lo...

Japan's Kotaro Matsushima scores his team's fourth try in their victory against Russia. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Japan 30-10 Russia: Rugby World Cup hosts get the party started

Finn Russell has the talent to inspire Scotland at the World Cup, and he is confident Gregor Townsends side will perform well in Japan. Picture: AP.

The ‘real’ Scotland is ready to put on a show says Finn Russell

Devin Toner has been left out of Ireland's World Cup squad. Pic: SNS

Ireland make shock omission as they name squad for Rugby World Cup

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, left, speaks to Johnny Sexton. Picture: Bill Murray/SNS

Allan Massie: Big-game experience and rich talent make Leinster formidable

Matt Fagerson's ball-playing skills could be key for Glasgow. Picture: SNS

Where the Glasgow v Leinster Pro14 final will be won and lost

Adam Hastings, converting Glasgows third try in their semi-final victory over Ulster, is relishing his clash with Johnny Sexton. Picture: SNS

Adam Hastings fired up by prospect of battle with Johnny Sexton

Toulouse's flying South African winger Cheslin Kolbe. Picture: Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty

Allan Massie: Richie Gray and Toulouse can strike blow for exciting rugby

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