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Johnny Sexton provides fitness update as Ireland prepare for Six Nations restart

By PA
(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Johnny Sexton feels a greater responsibility to perform against Italy this weekend as strict coronavirus rules may mean the whole of Ireland is watching. Fly-half Sexton has declared himself fit and ready for the resumption of the Guinness Six Nations following a hamstring complaint.

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Saturday’s game in Dublin will be played at the end of a week in which the Irish government will move the country to the highest level of Covid-19 restrictions, broadly similar to the spring lockdown. 

Team skipper Sexton admits his Ireland team are mindful of the situation and determined to provide a morale boost for those stuck at home. “It’s not so much putting on a show but more you feel a bigger responsibility with the restrictions that have come in now and the country has gone back to level five,” he said.

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James Ryan and Johnny Sexton look ahead of Ireland vs Italy

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James Ryan and Johnny Sexton look ahead of Ireland vs Italy

“There’s obviously a sense that the whole country will be watching us. Most of the time we’re very lucky that we are always being looked at but I suppose it’s an even bigger responsibility. I suppose Italy are going to be in the same boat as us. Both teams will be very motivated.

“Any time you play for Ireland it’s a big responsibility,” Sexton continued. “But there’s a little bit of extra onus on us this week. Putting on a show isn’t something we have spoken about but putting in a good performance is something we are very conscious of and want to do. We need to win the game first and foremost.”

Having joined up with the national team carrying a niggle, 35-year-old Sexton is confident he will be involved at the Aviva Stadium. “I trained fully on Saturday – was sort of being managed a little bit on Saturday – and then trained fully today [Tuesday]. I feel good, thankfully. I did some good work over the last couple of weeks so I will hopefully be able to hit the ground running on Saturday.”

The original Six Nations fixture between Ireland and Italy was among the first major sporting events to be postponed when the global pandemic took hold early this year. After starting the competition with successive home victories over Scotland and Wales, Andy Farrell’s side have had plenty of time to stew on defeat to England at Twickenham before the enforced break.

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The Irish are currently four points behind joint leaders England and France, albeit with a game in hand over their title rivals. Sexton said there have been major changes behind the scenes but he insisted the players felt “privileged” to be back at work.

It’s world’s apart, everything is different. We’re living together essentially in the same bubble but we still have to maintain social distancing at dinner. We’re only (allowed) three at a table, you’re queuing two metres apart, all the restrictions that apply outside essentially are applying to us.

“It’s not like normal camp but it’s the new normal now. We’ve had a good few days together and we’re slowly getting used to it. We’re very lucky and privileged to be able to do what we love to do, which is get a chance to represent Ireland and be together. We’re the lucky ones.

“There were fears that if the country went to level five would we be able to play at all so we’re very grateful for the chance to be able to continue.”

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David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Why is Joe Schmidt the best option for Australia? (LONG READ)


An essay for @OJohn with love from South Africa.


OJohn keeps banging on about kiwis and Saffers and everyone else seeking to undermine and bring down Australian rugby… Blah, Blah, Blah. It’s boring and not worth responding too 99 days out of 100.


He misses the point completely that Australians either are or are not the masters of their own destiny. So to blame anyone else but themselves for what the state of Australian rugby is in - is hypocritical.


But recently, Australia has shown signs of life. Personally, I always believed they would be back at some point. At the beginning of this year I predicted that the wallabies would bounce back this year. I predicted that they would overtake England in the world rankings. I am predicting that they could finish second in the RC, could win the Lions series and could make it to a RWC final at home.


I tend to get ahead of myself when I’m excited... Ask my wife. But forgive me for getting excited about the Wallabies looking good! Is it so bad?


Like OJohn, I believe that Australia’s lands abound with natures gifts, including athletic specimens across any sporting code the Aussies compete in. It’s one of the reasons most of us don’t like Aussies. They win sh1t. Regularly. And look smug when they do...


But back to OJohn. And his banging on about the need for Australia to have an Australian coach. Here are a few highlights of his argument:


Several times I've given a list of half a dozen Australian coaches who would be more Australian than Schmidt and just as successful.

Tell me which Australian coaches would be acceptable to coach the All Blacks ......?

Because South Africans and Kiwis and Welshmen and Scotsman are all s.... scared that if an immensely talented and athletic team like Australia is ever able to harness nationalistic Australian passion with an Australian coach, you'll all be s.c.r.e.w.e.d.


And then finally – the list of 6:


Ewen McKenzie, Less Kiss, Stephen Larkham, Jim McKay, David Nucifora, Scott Wisenthal, Ben Mowen, Rod Kafer, Mick Byrne, John Manetti, Jason Gilmore, Dan McKellar.

Plus, a special request:


Keep in mind Rod MacQueen never won a Super Rugby title before he was appointed Wallaby coach but he ended up the greatest rugby coach the world has ever seen. Better than Erasmus even. Who is probably the next best.

Right. I don’t care about the tinfoil hat theories. I want to assess OJohn’s list and determine whether any of them fit the mold of a Rod Macqueen.

 

Like Rod Macqueen the following world cup winning coaches never won a Super Rugby Title:


·       David Kirk, 1987 (17 appearances for New Zealand)

·       Kitch Kristie, 1995

·       Rod Macqueen, 1999

·       Clive Woodward, 2003 (21 Appearance for England)

·       Jake White, 2007 (School Teacher)

·       Graham Henry, 2011 (School Teacher)

·       Steve Hansen, 2015 (Policeman)

·       Rassie Erasmus, 2019 (36 Appearances for South Africa)

·       Jacques Nienaber, 2023 (Physiotherapist).


I couldn't find out what Rod or Kitch did other than coach.


The only coach who has won a Super title and a World Cup?

·       Bob Dwyer, 1991 (A Tahs man wouldn’t you know!)


In fact coaches that have won super rugby titles have not won world cups. Robbie Deans. Heyneke Meyer to name just two.


I know I’m being childish, but I needed to bring this list in somehow because it’s quite obvious that whatever these coaches did before they became international level coaches is largely immaterial. Or is it?


Interestingly Ewan McKenzie (A Tah Man!) has won a Super title. And despite being a Tah Man made it into OJohn’s list. That’s two strikes for Ewan Mckenzie based on OJohn’s criteria so far. Not to mention his 50% win rate as head coach of the Wallabies between 2013 and 2014 (and the laundry list of off the field fcuk ups that swirled around the team at the time).


So Ewan is out.


I find it interesting that, as we speak, eight out of the ten top ranked men’s teams are coached by former international players:

1.      South Africa, Rassie Erasmus (36 appearances for South Africa)

2.      Ireland, Andy Farrell (8 appearances for England)

3.      New Zealand, Scott Robertson (23 appearances for New Zealan)

4.      France, Fabien Galthie (64 appearances for France)

5.      Argentina, Felipe Contemponi (87 appearances for Argentina)

6.      Scotland, Gregor Townsend (82 appearances for Scotland)

7.      England, Steve Borthwick (57 appearances for England)

8.      Australia, Joe Schmidt (School Teacher)

9.      Fiji, Michael Byrne (Aussie Rules Player)

10.  Italy, Gonzalo Quesada (38 appearances for Argentina).


It would appear as though we have entered an era where successful international coaches, largely, have played rugby at international level in the professional era. Or are ex school teachers. Much like Jake White and Graham Henry! Or a policeman.

 

Back to OJohn’s List. That leaves us with:


·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jim McKay, (Very little to write home about)

·       David Nucifora, (Too old)

·       Scott Wisenthal, (I literally can’t find anything on him on the Google).

·       Ben Mowen, (Too young, no coaching experience)

·       Rod Kafer, (No coaching experience)

·       Mick Byrne, (He’s coaching the Fijians, Aussie rules!)

·       John Manetti, (Can’t find him on the google)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)

·       Dan McKellar, (Not much to write home about, but could be an option).


Applying some logic, I would say the following are viable options based on age, experience in coaching AND the fact that they have played rugby for Australia in the professional era:

·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)


After having done all this research, I think it’s fair to say that none of these three have the same pedigree as Joe Schmidt, the teacher. Who took a sh1tty Ireland team to no.1. Won a few 6 Nations and helped get the All Blacks to a world cup final in 2023.


Joe’s the best option for now. But if Kiss, Larkham and Gilmore are the business for the future for Australia get them in now as assistants to Joe and stop moaning!!


Errors and Ommissions accepted. Mispelling of names is OJohn's fault.

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