The 35-year-old, who has scored 641 points in the European top flight for the Irish province, was prolific from the tee, amassing 17 points over the course of a dramatic game.

The first of his five penalties arrived after only three minutes and four minutes later centre Robbie Henshaw, who with Sexton will be looking to help Leinster overcome RC Toulon in the Heineken Champions Cup last 16 next month, swooped for a try to extend Ireland’s lead.

However, Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell – who is set to face Edinburgh Rugby in the last 16 – inspired a Scotland comeback with an 11th minute penalty and a try that he converted on 27 minutes to edge the host nation 10-8 ahead.

Two further Sexton penalties saw Ireland go into half-time with a four-point advantage though, and a converted try from Munster Rugby flanker Tadhg Beirne plus another Sexton penalty widened the margin to 24-10.

But Scotland rallied again via tries from Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones and Edinburgh Rugby flanker Hamish Watson, both of which were converted by Exeter Chiefs full-back Stuart Hogg to level the scores.

It was Sexton who had the final say, though, landing a penalty from near the left-hand touchline with under three minutes remaining to hand Ireland their second Guinness 6 Nations win of this campaign.

Four-time European champion Johnny Sexton, a hero for Leinster Rugby on so many occasions, was Ireland’s matchwinner on Sunday as he kicked a late penalty to seal a 27-24 victory in the Guinness 6 Nations clash at BT Murrayfield.