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Johnny Sexton insists Ireland remain in contention for the Six Nations, despite their quest for glory beginning with an agonizing defeat.<\/p>\nJohnny Sexton insists Ireland remain in contention for the Six Nations, despite their quest for glory beginning with an agonizing defeat.<\/p>\n
Aspirations were dealt a sizeable blow after the early dismissal of flanker Peter O\u2019Mahony contributed heavily to Sunday\u2019s frustrating 21-16 to an unfancied Wales.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s men battled valiantly in Cardiff but, despite incessant late pressure, were unable to snatch victory as the hosts held on for only a fourth success from 11 Tests since the appointment of Wayne Pivac.<\/p>\n
Sexton has backed his side to respond to the setback, starting next weekend at home to current tournament favorites France.<\/p>\n
Asked if there was still plenty left to play for, the 35-year-old replied: \u201cOf course. It\u2019s just all about next week now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bonus-point loss could be crucial towards the end.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could be top of the table next week, if we get a big result at home. We know we\u2019re playing against arguably the form team in Europe, the best team in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to have to come together and fix the wrongs and I fully back this group to do it.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAny defeat at international level is gutting. It could have been a very famous victory for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time you play Wales in Cardiff, it\u2019s an incredibly tough game and to have done it with 14 would have been incredibly special \u2013 but it wasn\u2019t to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Mahony was sent off in the 14th minute following a shoulder-led hit to the head of Wales prop Tomas Francis.<\/p>\n
However, Ireland overcame a 6-0 deficit to deservedly lead 13-6 at the break courtesy of Tadhg Beirne\u2019s try and eight points from Sexton.<\/p>\n
However, the physical exertion of performing a man light eventually appeared to catch up with them as second-half scores from George North and Louis Rees-Zammit, plus the boot of Leigh Halfpenny, put Wales in control of the scoreboard.<\/p>\n
After Sexton was reluctantly forced off with a head knock, Billy Burns set up a grandstand finish with a penalty, only to inadvertently end hopes of a fightback by failing to find touch with a wayward final kick.<\/p>\n
While Ireland returned to Dublin empty-handed, Sexton was pleased with the resilience shown.<\/p>\n
\u201c(I am) very proud of the way we fought back with 14 men,\u201d said Sexton.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt changes everything in terms of everything you have planned, all the different set plays, they just go out of the window and you have got to ad lib and I am proud of the way we reacted and got ourselves into that position.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo go 13-6 up was some outstanding stuff and it could have been even better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started the second half and made a couple of unforced errors, trying to do the right thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are going to be errors in international rugby because of the pressure you put on each other, but we made them at key times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of his head injury, he added: \u201cI took a bit of a bump on the side of the temple and I should hopefully be OK.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will do all of the return to play protocols and hopefully I will be OK for training next week.\u201d<\/p>\n