Andy Farrell lavishes praise on 'once-in-a-generation type of player' Johnny Sexton

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell heaped praises on skipper Johnny Sexton ahead of the upcoming autumn international campaign where they face Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

Sexton will be playing his 100th Test for Ireland in the opening game of the series against Japan on 6th November at Aviva Stadium and has already featured in six games for the British and Irish Lions that came during the 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand respectively.

The 36-year-old also amassed 925 points which ranks him second in most points scored for Ireland after Ronan O'Gara.

Sexton missed out on the selection for the Lions' recently concluded tour of South Africa earlier in the year with Warren Gatland pointing out “durability” being a key factor in leaving him out. Nevertheless, Farrell has full confidence on his veteran playmaker.

“His love for the game, determination to keep improving, his drive is second to none. I can’t say enough about the bloke.

"He’s a once-in-a-generation type of player and these players don’t tend to know what makes them tick that much.

“They just love being in it, they love trying to improve, they love driving the team to get better, they love performing on the big stage.

"He’s all of those things thrown into one.”