Jonathan Sexton after last year’s World Cup defeat to New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Evidence of the changing terms in the relationship between Ireland and New Zealand could be found in the opening questions asked to Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton in a press conference room opposite the Stade Omnisports des Fauvettes on the outskirts of Paris three days before the World Cup quarter-final in October last year.
Farrell’s decision to name his team a day early on the Wednesday of that World Cup week meant it didn’t clash with the All Blacks’ team announcement, so the strong contingent of travelling New Zealand journalists also pitched up for the Ireland gathering.