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VIDEO: Candid Sexton reveals how he deals with big-match nerves

By Nathaniel Cope

Jonathan Sexton has a vast medal haul, but Ireland’s 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winning outhalf admits he still struggles with nerves ahead of big games.

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Leinster face Racing 92 in the final of the Champions Cup in Bilbao on Saturday and when asked by RugbyPass how he deals with the nerves on the day of a final the flyhalf admitted that it’s something he has to contend with for far longer in the build-up.

“The week of a final! I have been pretty nervous all week. You know you wake up the week of a big game you feel different. Sleep can be a struggle and the nerves can be a struggle, you just have to focus your attention on to getting what is important right and your preparation and putting all your energy into that and leaving all the distractions and all the hype and try and park it and just really focus on putting on a good performance. That’s what we did in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and throughout the group stage, so that has been key for us this week. We have trained really well, we have prepared really well and we’ve just got to go out and do it on the biggest stage.”

Sexton elaborated on how he tries to clear his head.

“Yeah going out training, going out kicking, they are all the things that really get your mind off the game, distract you while focusing you at the same time – which sounds a bit strange. I find that is when I am at my calmest, but it is when you get home and you’ve got lots of time to yourself that you worry about that. The older you get probably the nerves get worse, but the way you deal with them is a bit better.”

Sexton has been in the matchday squad in each of Leinster’s three Champions Cup successes, but it’s been six years since Leinster have been kings of Europe and a fourth title would seem them go level with Toulouse.

Meanwhile Leo Cullen has revealed his reasons for leaving James Lowe out of his 23-man squad.

With only two “overseas” players allowed, Cullen has plumped for Scott Fardy in the backrow, while Jamison Gibson-Park is selected on the bench as back up to Luke McGrath.

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“There is a lot of different factors, I thought Jamison did very well in the semi-final against the Scarlets so in many ways he’s unlucky not to start the game. Scott has come in and he’s done well, he’s been a really good addition to the forwards and he’s a good leader in the group. It is not an easy decision”, Cullen said.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Rob Kearney (195)
14. Jordan Larmour (19)
13. Garry Ringrose (47)
12. Robbie Henshaw (23)
11. Isa Nacewa (182) CAPTAIN
10. Johnny Sexton (146)
9. Luke McGrath (92)
1. Cian Healy (188)
2. Seán Cronin (150)
3. Tadhg Furlong (81)
4. Devin Toner (215)
5. James Ryan (12)
6. Scott Fardy (19)
7. Dan Leavy (52)
8. Jordi Murphy (104)

16. James Tracy (63)
17. Jack McGrath (130)
18. Andrew Porter (27)
19. Rhys Ruddock (140)
20. Jack Conan (71)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (50)
22. Joey Carbery (35)
23. Rory O’Loughlin (40)

In other news: Danny Cipriani included in England’s squad

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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.

21 Go to comments
B
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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