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Mar 10, 2019 at 3pm UK
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Guirado: France won't be distracted by Johnny Sexton

Guirado: France won't be distracted by Johnny Sexton
© Reuters
The Les Bleus captain is not interested in targeting Ireland's talisman in Dublin.

Captain Guilhem Guirado insists France will not target Johnny Sexton in Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Hooker Guirado claimed Les Bleus would risk losing focus if chasing Ireland's talisman fly-half in the Aviva Stadium encounter.

Sexton has railed against continued physical treatment from opponents amid Ireland battling to find form in this Six Nations, with the reigning champions losing to England and labouring to wins over Scotland and Italy.

Scotland v Ireland – Guinness Six Nations – BT Murrayfield
Johnny Sexton, left, flicks the scoring pass to Jacob Stockdale in Ireland's win in Scotland, in one of the special moves where he is used as bait (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Head coach Joe Schmidt has conceded Ireland use Sexton – with the playmaker's tacit approval – as bait in special moves that draw holes in defences, and Guirado is loath to see France fall for that ruse.

"Obviously Johnny is very important for their organisation but there are also a lot of very good players around him," said Guirado, of Sexton. "So we have to focus to work as a team first and not just focus on one player.

"Even though Ireland have had some troubles we know they will be ready for the match tomorrow, they are very well organised.

"But we're not really focused on them, we're focused fully on ourselves."

France v Wales – Guinness Six Nations – Stade De France
Guilhem Guirado, right, hopes France can repeat the levels they found in victory over Scotland (David Davies/PA)

Toulouse half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack spearheaded France's return to form in their stunning 27-10 victory over Scotland in Paris.

Now Les Bleus are desperate to ensure that result was not merely a flash in the pan, although they expect a sterner test in Dublin than against the Scots.

Toulon hooker Guirado hailed Dupont and Ntamack for transferring their club form to the Test arena, but also called on France's collective to keep their young playmakers on track.

England v France – Guinness Six Nations – Twickenham Stadium
Romain Ntamack, pictured, will lead France's backline again (David Davies/PA)

"They are young, but they are used to playing together," said Guirado.

"They are learning very quickly and they are leading the game, but it's obviously all the players around them that have to help them.

"It's good for our confidence, obviously after a long period of defeat, to have a victory.

"It's good for the group, but one of the elements we are most proud about is what we did with the ball last weekend.

"But as well we have to consider the conditions tomorrow and to adapt our rugby."


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Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on February 2, 2019
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