Here are 7 reasons why we still love Jonny Sexton

His uncanny resemblance to Taylor Lautner, plus six more of the Irish out-half’s endearing characteristics.

UNLESS YOU WERE away from the internet yesterday, you’ll know by now it’s been confirmed that Jonny Sexton will leave Leinster at the end of the season.

While there has been some doom and gl0om prompted by the fact that Leinster are set to lose arguably their best player, we at TheScore.ie have resolved to ignore all this negativity and focus solely on the good times.

So with that in mind, here are seven reasons why Sexton will always be a legend in our eyes.

1. He improved our kicking game

We caught up with Jonny Sexton just before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and he gave us some useful tips on how to improve our kicking game.

2. He’s Taylor Lautner in disguise

Is it just us, or does Sexton bear a suspicious resemblance to the Twilight star?

3. He’s a ‘sports nerd’

YouTube credit: VicMackey0

Following his inspirational display in the Heineken Cup final against Northampton, he revealed how, at half-time, he told teammates that an unlikely win was still possible, citing Liverpool’s similarly impressive comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final as an example to follow. The star consequently explained that his being “a sports nerd” caused him to reference this game.

4. He is ultra-competitive

For many years, he has enjoyed what can be diplomatically be described as a healthy rivalry with Ronan O’Gara (Image: INPHO/James Crombie).

5. What other Irish out-half has starred in three Heineken Cup final victories?

Would Leinster have enjoyed so much success in recent years without the help of the influential out-half? It’s highly doubtful (Image: INPHO/Dan Sheridan).

6. He gets George Hook all riled up

YouTube credit: TheRugbyDawg

The controversial pundit hasn’t always been kind to Sexton, as the above clip attests.

7. He asks the difficult questions

YouTube credit: guinnessrugbyire

Sexton took full advantage of a rare opportunity to get his own back on critics, as he asked an awkward question to the normally straight-talking pundit Neil Francis.