World-class Sexton just as good as Carter, says Payne

Jonathan Sexton is currently the best fly-half in the world and would be a match for Dan Carter in his prime, according to Ireland's New Zealand-born centre Jared Payne.



Sexton has been instrumental in Ireland's Six Nations victories over France and England after missing the opening Test of the championship due to a concussion lay-off and Payne hailed his team-mate's return to the squad by paying him the biggest of compliments.



"Johnny is a world-class player, one of the best 10s - if not the best - in the world at the moment," Payne said of Sexton, who could miss Ireland's crucial clas…