27 - 10

Sexton returns for Leinster showdown with Exeter

09 Apr 2021

Leinster flyhalf Johnny Sexton.

Johnny Sexton will captain Leinster as they face Exeter in the quarter-final of the Heineken Champions Cup tomorrow at Sandy Park. Sexton’s return is the only change from the 23 selected for the cancelled last-16 tie against Toulon last weekend.

The backs stay the same with Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and James Lowe selected by Cullen, with Robbie Henshaw and Rory O’Loughlin in the centre.

Sexton leads the side from number 10 with Luke McGrath at scrum half.

Dan Biggar on Saints, the Premiership, his kicking style and trolls:

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In the front row Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong are again selected to start but there is one change in the second row with Scott Fardy partnering Devin Toner for the trip to Sandy Park.

Finally, in the back row it’s once again a trio of Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.

LEINSTER TEAM:
15. Hugo Keenan (25)
14. Jordan Larmour (55)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (80)
12. Robbie Henshaw (54)
11. James Lowe (49)
10. Johnny Sexton (172) CAPTAIN
9. Luke McGrath (145)
1. Cian Healy (227)
2. Rónan Kelleher (20)
3. Tadhg Furlong (110)
4. Scott Fardy (75)
5. Devin Toner (262)
6. Rhys Ruddock (186)
7. Josh van der Flier (92)
8. Jack Conan (101)

16. James Tracy (125)
17. Ed Byrne (65)
18. Andrew Porter (72)
19. Ross Molony (112)
20. Ryan Baird (20)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (28)
22. Ross Byrne (98)
23. Dave Kearney (165)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

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Comments on RugbyPass

NB 5 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

I think they were all wedded to the great BB experiment - and it was an experiment. Barrett could easily have played any position in the backs except 9 and maybe 12, but they wanted him to be the new #10 v 2.0!

It’s set the pattern now as DMac is also a 10/15, ditto Ruben Love. In a way it’s also similar to the Marcus vs. Fin Smith debate in England - Marcus can play both, Fin is a dedicated 10,

21 Go to comments

NB 10 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Yep hard to see BB making it but on current evidence RM is quite capable of being an important contributor.

21 Go to comments

NB 11 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Indeed👍

21 Go to comments

NB 12 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

More accurately he chose to go overseas to secure his family’s future, then other ppl decided he could not be an AB any longer. Policies change, class doesn’t.

21 Go to comments

NB 14 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Yes he has never pretended to be anything other than a 10 - you cannot imagine him as a 12 or a 15, and he’s benefited from it.

I think towards the end of the Shag era the ABs saw a chance to redefine the spot because BB was such an extraordinary athlete, and he did add something…. But he also lacked some of fine-tuning ‘simply 10s’ acquire over their careers with constant experience and exposure.

Not sure id Richie would displace DMac in Razor’s thinking but he would def be in the 23.

21 Go to comments

Hammer Head 17 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Got it now 👌

21 Go to comments

NB 19 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Pref not playing with the broken hand HH!

21 Go to comments

Hammer Head 25 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Dire stuff if your best flyhalf has a broken hand.

21 Go to comments

Toaster 45 minutes ago

‘Cops his fair bit’: Billy Proctor’s take on All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane

I would normally agree about Telea and I see your point but he’s not a long serving AB like Cane or BB for example

But yeah it is tempting so we can try and beat the Boks! But then the French are up first for three tests so what do we do then? Perhaps we try one of the other guys

You might not like it but if there is no obvious candidate a temporary shift to the wing for Jordan and Love on the bench for 10/15

Just an idea

Agree about Nonu but he had lethal speed as well as a winger like Tana

He also had a swerve

It’s the other finesse elements he developed

Passing and kicking skills

13 Go to comments

Spew_81 54 minutes ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

B Barrett may struggle to get in for RWC 2027, 36 years old is pretty old for a ‘run first’ 10.

It’s early days but Ruben Love may be a better option at 10/15. Love is like a 2010 B Barrett.

21 Go to comments

frandinand 1 hour ago

Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

You are more of an optimist I am.

Mind you as long time Tahs fan optimism is in short supply in my world.

71 Go to comments

Chiefs Mana 1 hour ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

No I’m referring to the player who played over 50 tests for the ABs, played pretty well in maybe half of them (generous) and failed at two world cups.

Beat super rugby player of all time though.

21 Go to comments

CC 1 hour ago

Broken hand or not, Richie Mo'unga is still New Zealand's best 10

Unlike a lot of the current first five options, we have in New Zealand, Mo’unga is solely a first five and not the 10/15 hybrid, where there is a few options such as Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Reuben Love. I think that is an advantage being focussed on the one position despite the call for the selectors to show versatility. It allows players to know they have been trusted to run the team in a key position. In a way that has hindered Barrett and McKenzie in recent years at international level as they have been chopping between the two.

Mo’unga still has his class and would be a welcome addition back to the All Black fold. If he has played like that in a final with one hand, imagine what he can do with two!!!

Great article as always Nick.

21 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Shannon Frizell postpones All Blacks homecoming

The 3 loose forward positions are interesting to sort out aren’t they as there is a lot of talented ones available.

4 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Shannon Frizell postpones All Blacks homecoming

Nothing like pressure to bring the best out of players. Dmac has been excellent so far this season but the likes of Love & BB are also very much in the picture. Mounga will add to the log jam of talent. Nice problem for the AB coach & selectors to sort out.

4 Go to comments

d 1 hour ago

The family promise driving one-Test All Black toward a Samoa switch