The French vendetta against Johnny Sexton was at its most blunt and unabashed at the weekend. For the fourth time in succession, he watched the closing stages of an Ireland-France game while seated disconsolately on the bench.
The Daily Telegraph were particularly outraged on Ireland's behalf today as David Schofield lambasted the French for their brazen targeting of the Irish out-half.
A brief rundown of Sexton's recent history of run-ins with the French.
2014 Six Nations: Basteraud
With just over ten minutes remaining in the final game of the 2014 Six Nations, the artless human blunderbuss Matthieu Basteraud tried his favourite attacking gambit - putting his head down and charging into someone. (He doesn't have an especially wide attacking repertoire).
Not so much malicious as just more proof that the man's body is a weapon.
2015 Six Nations: Basteraud
Basteraud once more decides to defend with his head. This kicked off a wave of wholly justifiable concussion panic.
2015 World Cup - Picamoles
The game which shocked the French rugby psyche more than any other, according to Gavin Mortimer. Johnny Sexton's World Cup was ended by a faintly malevolent hit from Louis Picamoles.
2016 Six Nations - Yoann Maestri
The worst of the bunch. Incontrovertible evidence that some French players are nakedly targeting Johnny Sexton. The limp wristed liberal who wears the title of 'citing commissioner' decided the 'tackle' only merited a warning.
Read more: How Ireland Won The Five Nations From This Position Before
