Johnny Sexton admits Six Nations games against Scotland and England represent major opportunities for Ireland’s players to book their seats on this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.
Ireland travel to Murrayfield on Sunday looking to build on victory over Italy, before completing the Championship at home to Eddie Jones’ men six days later.
“It’s not at the forefront of our thoughts because even if it wasn’t a Lions year we’d still be going out to win the game, of course, and to put our best foot forward,” said Ireland captain Sexton.
“But in the back of your mind, you know the next two are pretty important games in terms of those Lions selections.
“It will help the Irish cause if we can pick up a couple of wins, it will help get more numbers on the plane and that’s ultimately what we want – we want to get as many Irish people on that trip as possible. It’s definitely in the back of our minds somewhere.”
The Ireland and Leinster captain has signed a one-year contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union.
The new deal for the 35-year-old fly-half, who has been capped 97 times by his country, will run until the end of the 2021-22 season.
When asked if he had hoped for a two-year deal, Sexton chuckled: "No. It was done in the right way. With all the Covid things it didn’t start (at the usual time). It was agreed pretty quickly. Once you get to the age I’m at, most guys in their mid-30s go ‘one year, see how you feel this time next year, see how you feel, how you’re performing, how the body’s holding up, how the mind’s holding up. That’s really it.
"I always knew it was a one year at a time job when I got to this stage. So delighted to continue the journey for another year and still very hungry to try and achieve success with Leinster and Ireland. Once my team-mates know that, they see it every day on the training pitch, that’s all that matters to me."
