We have to learn lessons, says Sexton

RUGBY UNION Johnny Sexton says there has been an “open and honest" evaluation of Ireland's deflating defeat to New Zealand in Chicago as attention turns to the team’s home autumn fixtures.

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Andy Farrell's side led 13-7 in Saturday's sold-out match at Soldier Field before being outclassed by the All Blacks in the final quarter to suffer a 26-13 loss.

Ireland will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when Japan visit the Aviva Stadium before hosting Australia and world champions South Africa on the following two weekends.

“It's a pretty disappointed camp," assistant coach Sexton told reporters on Tuesday. “We feel we probably prepared really well over the last two weeks and we didn’t get it out there on Saturday, which is the most disappointing thing.