Sexton fires word of warning ahead of England Grand Slam match
Johnny Sexton believes Ireland’s late victory over France was a vital Championship winning moment, having clinched the Natwest 6 Nations title with a 28-8 win over Scotland in Dublin.
That success coupled with England’s 22-16 defeat to France in Paris handed Ireland the Championship with a week to spare.
“It is I suppose one now, but like we said after it was a very special moment for the team. I think we will look back at that when we lift that trophy next week, hopefully a Grand Slam and we can look back at those five minutes and we can say that was a huge moment in our success.”
But the Ireland outhalf insisted the team is not getting carried away and focus is very much on facing England at Twickenham on St. Patrick’s Day.
Ireland beat England 13-9 in Dublin in 2017, but have not won at Twickenham since 2010.
“Look it’s very muted upstairs, it is a very strange feeling to win the Championship with a game to go and so much to play for and we know how difficult it is going to be with England. The shoe is on the other foot after last year and I am sure they will be licking their lips.”
“History doesn’t protect you” – Schmidt not worried by England’s Twickenham record
The Grand Slam remains a huge personal motivation for the Leinster man.
“Look I’d be lying if I said otherwise. As Declan Kidney said I was just as much a part of it as anyone else in 2009 when I was in the bibs, I definitely didn’t feel that way, but I think I remember some of the talks around that time, the O’Connell’s the O’Driscoll’s, the O’Gara’s, were trying to achieve this for ten years and you could tell by their speeches and their actions through the season how much it meant to them. They had to drag along guys like Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney, young guys coming through. It is very similar to that now.”
“I think Rory (Best) is desperate for a Grand Slam because he feels a bigger part of it compared to back then. So for us it is about dragging those young kids along. They probably think they’re going to get loads of opportunities – as I know it doesn’t work out like that. I remember playing Scotland at Croke Park for a Triple Crown and almost taking it for granted, because I thought ‘a Triple Crown, I’ll have plenty of other opportunities like this’, and I still haven’t won a Triple Crown. So we’ve got to take these opportunities with both hands when they come.”
Rory Best looking forward to Twickenham test
Sexton was also fulsome in his praise for Joe Schmidt and his backroom team, considering they had to deal with a raft of injuries.
“I think credit to the management team for being able to prepare us with so many changes. I think if at the start of the season if you’d said you’re going to win a championship without Josh (van der Flier), Sean (O’Brien), Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Robbie Henshaw and to lose Chris Farrell as well and there are others on that list too. It is great building towards World Cup’s and before that the Championship next year that we’ve built that depth and that has been done over the last couple of years. We know that the biggest challenge is ahead.”
Joe Schmidt determined to achieve a Grand Slam
Comments on RugbyPass
You 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?
43 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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 commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments