An off-the-ball skirmish with Joe Marchant led to referee Jaco Peyper telling Johnny Sexton to leave him alone.
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It is safe to say the South African official had more than had enough of Sexton's complaints by the time the two players came to blow.
Transcript:
Sexton: That's a clear push! How dangerous is that?
Peyper: I don't see anything more than that.There's nothing to give, accept it. All we can pick up is a push and a shove, Johnny."
Sexton: No, it's a push in the back..
Peyper: Johnny, please.
Social reaction:
Regarding the incident, one fan wrote: "Sexton moaning about a push- fucking hell games gone soft,"
Another added: "Sexton represents both the best and worst parts of modern rugby. "
A third commented: "Was Sexton trying to get Marchant carded for a push? WTF,"
A few minutes later, the player was compelled to leave the fied due to an injury, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd at the Aviva Stadium. This marked the end of his final appearance in a Six Nations game.
Marchant & Sexton incident:
Five players who flopped on 2023 Six Nations Super Saturday
We take at five players who flopped during the fifth and final round of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, including one disappointing England star.
#1. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Put in a few great kicks, but you can’t help but wonder why he didn’t do it more? Wales had no attack whatsoever, so why wouldn’t you use your 10’s massive boot?"
#2. Alex Dombrandt (England)
RUCK 5/10: "Caught out defensively again. Poor."
Telegraph 6/10: "Late hit on Sexton put England under pressure and he was left on an island chasing Van der Flier before Sheehan’s try. Better here, but was it enough long-term"
Planet Rugby 6/10: "The number eight didn’t quite rise to the occasion again, and while he did have some success with his carries, he still isn’t fronting up physically.
Alex Dombrandt of England on the break during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
#3. Edoardo Iachizzi (Italy)
Planet Rugby 4/10: "After impressive performances throughout the tournament, he earned his first start for the Azzurri. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the most of his opportunity.
"He flourished with the ball in hand, gaining over 30 metres, but he conceded two penalties, wasted a threatening attacking position with a poor pass and was replaced shortly after the break."
#4. Wyn Jones (Wales)
Rugby Pass 3/10: "Atonio got the better of Jones at scrum time, which ultimately let France into the game when Wales were playing well."
Wales Online 3/10: "Started with a couple of punchy carries, but the scrum is his bread and butter and he endured a difficult afternoon, giving away a couple of penalties. Subbed early in second half."
#5. George Turner (Scotland)
Rugby Pass 5/10: "A couple of errant lineouts, which has been a problem throughout the championship. He also irked the Scotland coaches for breaking too early from a maul, but did carry strongly."
