'If I told Johnny that he's going into a game to play second fiddle, he'd think I'd gone mad'
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton expects to be fit to lead his country into a new era under head coach Andy Farrell.
Sexton’s participation in the Guinness Six Nations had been in doubt due to a knee injury suffered playing for Leinster in early December.
But the fly-half is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery and should take part in a training session on Thursday in Portugal ahead of the tournament opener on February 1 at home to Scotland.
“Everything’s been going to plan, so hopefully I can take full part in training (on Thursday),” Sexton said.
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WATCH: Andy Goode and Brendan Venter didn’t hold back on this weeks pod as they discussed Saracens and the salary cap scandal.
“If anything a little bit ahead of schedule and if everything goes smoothly over the next few days, I should be fine and available for selection next week.”
Sexton was last week named successor to retired former skipper Rory Best when Farrell announced his 36-man squad for the championship.
The 34-year-old was proud to be selected for the role but accepts it may only be a short-term appointment.
“I think everyone would want to be captain but it’s about someone wanting you to do it,” he said.
Wayne Pivac and captain Alun Wyn Jones today revealed details of the key role Sam Warburton has been given in this season’s #SixNations championship defence ???????#GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/MSPGso3Zah
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 22, 2020
“That’s the biggest honour you can be asked to do and it meant a lot that Andy asked me to do it, that he thought I was the one to lead us forward into this campaign.
“It’s obviously a campaign-by-campaign thing at the moment and we’ll see how we go.”
With seemingly positive news on Sexton’s availability, Farrell is now waiting on the fitness of Jordan Larmour.
Leinster wing Larmour sustained a foot injury during Saturday’s Champions Cup win at Benetton.
“We met up (on Tuesday) and had a bit of a walk-through so he was able to partake in that,” Farrell said.
No dramas mate.
– @chrisjonespress reporting from the #GuinnessSixNations launch #SixNations #EnglandRugby https://t.co/a0rxexszwP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 22, 2020
“We’ll have to take it day by day. We don’t think it’s anything too serious but how that’s going to play out in the next few days, we’ll have to wait and see.”
After a difficult 2019 which included a disappointing Six Nations campaign and defeat in the World Cup quarter-finals, Ireland are rebuilding under Farrell.
The 44-year-old has stepped up from defence coach to succeed Joe Schmidt.
Farrell believes patience will be required during the transitional phase but admits results remain of paramount importance and want his squad to hit the ground running.
Asked what he hoped to achieve in the forthcoming tournament, he replied: “Progressing our game, winning – it matters, we won’t shy away from that.
“If I told Johnny that he’s going into a game to play second fiddle and come away with a loss, he’d think I’d gone mad.
“We want to win but at the same time we want to develop our game and keep on improving.
“Certain aspects will take a little bit of time but at the same time we expect to perform.”
Meanwhile, Farrell feels Eddie Jones can use Saracens’ imminent relegation from the Premiership following of a breach of salary cap rules to galvanise England.
Farrell’s son Owen captains England and is one of seven Sarries players in Jones’ squad for the Six Nations.
“As far as players are concerned, they have a lot of ups and downs to deal with every week,” said the senior Farrell, who will face England on February 23 at Twickenham.
“When you make the change into another environment, I think that’s going to be really refreshing.
“I see Eddie using it to galvanise England a little bit as well.”
“I have not got an opinion because you understand as a parent it is sensitive anyway. There is a lot of questions still to be asked and answered you know so, I don’t think they have got all the facts together yet of what that future looks like.
“I am sure that will come out in the not too distant future. I suppose I will have an opinion then.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments