Jonathan Sexton calls on Ireland to raise their game for France clash

Ireland will need to greatly improve their performance according to Jonathan Sexton if they want to claim the Six Nations title in Paris next weekend.

Ireland’s hopes of winning a fourth Six Nations in seven years are in their own hands after their seven-try performance against Italy in Dublin on Saturday but they still need a bonus-point win against France. And winning with four tries at the Stade de France would be a first for the Irish, which means Sexton is acutely aware of the job ahead.

“It’s a huge challenge to go to France and win, never mind to be talking about a bonus point,” he said. “We need to focus on our performance. We’re not going to get there without a good performance, so we have to focus on that and build into a massive game for us.”

Wing Hugo Keenan scored a brace of tries on his first Test appearance with fellow debutant and former Ireland Sevens colleague Will Connors also going over. CJ Stander, Bundee Aki and Dave Heffernan all crossed too, with Sexton claiming a try of his own.

Sexton, however, was keen to point out his own deficiencies, as he threw an intercept which Italian wing Edoardo Padovani picked off to score. “That pass I threw, we can’t do that next week. We can’t throw long passes against that rush defence, so we need to learn lessons from today,” said the 35 year-old.

“We need to sit down and have a look because some of the things that Italy did to us today, France will do to us next week, in terms of that line speed.”

It was a good afternoon for debutants as Italy’s 20-year old fly-half Paolo Garbisi scored in the dying moments.

New Zealand born Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park made his debut off the bench and praised head coach Andy Farrell, who seems to be giving players more freedom to express themselves.

“When Andy Farrell says to us to be ourselves, and that he wants us to show our personalities, it’s about telling players to stick to their guns,” said the 28-year-old. “You have to remember what it is that made you a good player in the first place and taken you to this point.

“It’s important to stick to your guns and be strong about knowing what makes you a good player. And it’s certainly what he’s trying to bring out in everyone.

“His approach is class. Personally I think that’s the way rugby should be played. We have some awesome players in the squad and want to see them do their thing. It’s the kind of footy I want to be playing and most of the lads are on the same page as well. We’re looking forward and being ourselves in the group.”