New footage proves Sexton milked yellow card in ultimate move of gamesmanship
Ireland were red hot against Wales in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations, more or less putting the game to bed before half time at the Principality Stadium as they won 34-10.
Wales did fight back in the second half, but a yellow card to Liam Williams curtailed the momentum they had built. The yellow card was for making contact to the head of Johnny Sexton, but that has caused quite a storm online.
It was only a yellow card because Williams was passive in the tackle. In fact, he was so passive that many people have been saying online that Sexton actually charged into the fullback’s shoulder with his head. Whether that is true or not, Williams’ body position was always going to put him in trouble.
Take a look at the yellow:
SIN BIN!
Liam Williams has been shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Johnny Sexton 🟨
Wales 10-27 Ireland
📺 Watch live on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSport online
🎧 Listen on @BBCRadioWales and @BBCSounds#BBCRugby #BBCSixNations pic.twitter.com/fxepkapagX
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) February 4, 2023
But new footage has shown that Sexton knew what he was doing, as he pulled off a crafty wink to his bench after Williams was sent off. Of course, he could have been winking to show that he was ok, but he is a wily veteran, and plenty of people online are convinced he knew what he was doing.
Take a look:
Not an inspiring game as a Welsh fan, but there’s a decent #Wales team there somewhere. Midtable is an okay result for the #6Nations2023 in my view. Eyes on the #WorldCup. Pity Sexton felt the need to push for the yellow, especially given the score line. #WALvIRE #SextonWink pic.twitter.com/9zWdze97In
— Jobe Bruzas (@JobeBruzas) February 4, 2023
Wales XV
15. Liam Williams
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 43 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 109 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 1 cap)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 3 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 103 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 40 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 17 caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 86 caps) captain
3. Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 67 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 41 caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 155 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 6 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 89 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 95 caps)
Replacements
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys – 34 caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 45 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 1 cap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 4 caps)
21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 36 caps)
22. Owen Williams (Ospreys – 3 caps)
23. Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 55 caps)
Ireland XV
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 25 caps
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 9 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 47 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 9 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 15 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 109 caps (c)
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 100 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 27 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 36 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 89 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 45 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 23 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 31 caps
17. Dave Kilkoyne
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 4 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 68 caps
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 33 caps
21. Craig Casey
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 14 caps
23. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 41 caps
