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'It's very hard for me because I don't want to go against those guys... the way we're looked after now is very different'
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists he has never felt under pressure to rush back from a head injury and will not take “stupid” risks due to his family commitments.
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Fly-half Sexton remains a doubt for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with France after suffering a blow to the head in the weekend defeat to Wales.
The 35-year-old this week became embroiled in a dispute with French neurologist Dr Jean-Francois Chermann regarding his concussion record, before receiving an apology.
He is currently undergoing return-to-play protocols in order to be available for the weekend game in Dublin but is adamant he will not jeopardise his health.
“It will all depend on how I do (in the tests) and how I feel. That gives me confidence and that will give the people close to me confidence,” Sexton said.
“I’m a dad of three and a husband and I’m not going to go and be stupid and I’m not going to risk anything.
“I’ve had the talk with the doctors and the coaches and they’re (saying), ‘just do the right thing’. If you’re right, you’re right; if you’re not right, you’re not.
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“That’s how it’s always been. I’ve never ever felt any pressure to play after a knock on the head.”
Sexton was forced off for the final 10 minutes of the 21-16 loss in Cardiff after being caught by the knee of Wales flanker Justin Tipuric.
Dr Chermann, who treated Sexton during his days with Paris-based club Racing 92, became involved on Tuesday by claiming on French radio that his former patient had suffered around 30 concussions in his career.
However, he retracted the comments on Wednesday after Sexton described them as “inaccurate and highly inappropriate”.
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While a number of former players have suffered lasting damage, Sexton believes rugby has significantly improved in its treatment of head injuries.
“It’s very hard for me because I don’t want to go against those guys. But I think the way we’re looked after now is very different,” said the Leinster man.
“Some of the stories that have come out about guys playing on Saturday and getting knocked on the head, then a game on Tuesday and getting a knock on the head, coming in on Thursday and getting knocked on the head, playing Saturday, that doesn’t happen any more.
“There’s always a little bit of contact in training but it’s rarely full contact, so we’re already reducing all those times.
"I can’t think of a better England team to beat Italy and put smiles back on people’s faces than this one"
– @AndyGoode10 reckons it is time for Eddie Jones to ring the changes #SixNations #ENGvITAhttps://t.co/81E1yj8ryA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 10, 2021
“Back in the day, after the knock I got on Sunday, maybe I would have been thrown out there and then you’re susceptible to something else.
“The way that we’re looked after is at the top of sport really, the way rugby is. I feel for the guys, I really do, the guys that are struggling now but I feel good.”
Ireland must beat France to keep alive their hopes of Six Nations glory after the damaging defeat at the Principality Stadium.
Les Bleus ended Ireland’s title challenge on the final day of the prolonged 2020 tournament.
“That was our first time playing against that French group and you could see the difference in them compared to French teams over the last number of years that we’ve played against,” said Sexton.
“They’re a good team but we had lots of opportunities in that game, in the first half especially. We didn’t really play well in the second half of course but in the first half we dominated large parts of the game but just didn’t capitalise on our pressure.
“That will be key this week, to make them feel scoreboard pressure by being clinical. That’s the main part of it, I think.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments