Johnny Sexton has warned New Zealand that any repeat of their strong-arm tactics from Dublin in 2016 will lead to red cards in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

British and Irish Lions fly-half Sexton believes Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa avoiding straight dismissals in New Zealand’s 21-9 win in Dublin three years ago sparked the sport’s crackdown on high tackles.

Flanker Cane was only penalised for knocking out Robbie Henshaw with a head-high shot at a ruck, while centre Fekitoa was merely sin-binned for a crude high tackle on Simon Zebo.

“It was like two strangers, almost introducing ourselves to each other in the first two games.

“And look, we’ve gone from strength to strength. He’s a top-quality operator, a quality pass and kicking game and all the things you’d expect from a world class scrum-half.

“It’s been a pleasure to play alongside him and I hope that we have many more together.

“At the end of the World Cup people will probably start calling for our heads, saying we’re too old and that the next batch needs to come through; I can see it already.

“But we hope that we’ve got a good few more years left in us yet.”