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Sexton's arc of redemption - Neil Best

By Neil Best

People dont have these tidy little redemption arcs like they do in movies.

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Unless of course, you’re Jonny Sexton on a rugby field – because for him redemption only takes twenty minutes and a nerveless drop goal. The memories of the missed 62nd minute penalty fade quickly whilst the image of Sexton disappearing underneath a heap of teammates will live long in the memory of Irish rugby.

What’s important now is that Ireland park the events of Paris and do nothing more than simply chalk it up as an away win. They don’t play away again until Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day in what continues to look like a Championship decider.

There’s something special about the first home game of any Six Nations and always gives the team that extra bit of focus and edge. One of my greatest playing experiences in an Ireland shirt was coming on at Croke Park in the first home game of the 2007 Six Nations. The history of the venue made home games that year just that little bit more special.

Ireland should be moving to the next match exuding an appropriate level of confidence and therefore I’m glad that Joe Schmidt has seen fit to make changes for Italy. At the same time, he’s ensured that the likes of Stockdale get the chance to grow and maybe pick up a try or two against weaker opposition. I’m looking forward to seeing how Jack Conan plays at 8 in his first Six Nations start. He must fancy himself as having a real prospect of displacing Stander from the starting fifteen before next year’s World Cup -and he should be keen to use any chance he’s given to make a statement.

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Although he acted as somewhat of a distraction in the build up to the first match last week, it would be wrong not to give specific mention to Rory Best this weekend. The Italy match will bring him level with Paul O’Connell as Ireland’s most capped forward and place him third most capped player of all time -only behind O’Driscoll and O’Gara. It really is a remarkable achievement by a player who could still be adding caps right through to Japan next year.

Against Italy I expect Ireland to use the bench fully and maybe a little earlier than they might normally have done. But in no way expect that to mean anyone taking their foot off the pedal. The guys coming on will want to impress and I really think Italians could be on the wrong end of a pretty big score.

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Italian rugby is in a strange place in that the club sides seem to have taken steps forward this year and last, yet the same can’t be said of the national team.

England softened Italy up last weekend anything less than 45-50 point for Ireland will inevitably be viewed by fans with a tinge of disappointment. My predictions for this weekend are Ireland, England and France.

Ireland already look like could be settling nicely into a winning habit which will serve their ambitions well.

Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of 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 Brooke. 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 by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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