SEXTON HOLDS HAND UP FOR CAPTAINCY
JOHNNY SEXTON’S dominant performance against Glasgow on Saturday saw the No 10 stake a claim for captaining Ireland in the upcoming November internationals. The out-half was Leinster captain in the absence of the sidelined Isa Nacewa as the Blues maintained their perfect start in Pool 3 with a commanding display in which he was in the ears of match officials throughout, prompting boos from sections of the home crowd following his departure on 68 minutes. Rory Best returned to action after injury at the weekend but, given he will be 37 for the 2019 World Cup, Ireland boss Joe Schmidt may consider his options during next month’s clashes with South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, with an eye to the future. Having only turned 32 last July, Sexton fits the right age profile to lead his country for the next few years and is guaranteed first-choice at 10, whereas other contenders for captain such as Peter O’Mahony, Rhys Ruddock and Sean O’Brien face intense competition for a place in the backrow. And Leinster scrum coach John Fogarty believes the province have benefited from placing Sexton in the leadership role. ‘The captaincy has been good for Johnny. You see Johnny showing a lot of emotion at times but that’s the type of character he is,’ Fogarty explained. ‘For us [Leinster], he’s very direct so he gets straight to the point and he can’t help himself at times, forcefully pushing a message.’ However, Schmidt will, no doubt, have taken note of the incident after the final whistle in Glasgow when Sexton returned to the field to argue with an assistant referee. However Fogarty insisted such aggression and emotion make the St Mary’s man perform. Sexton is likely to be rested for Leinster’s Pro14 trip to face Ulster on Saturday while O’Brien may return to action following a calf problem. Flanker Josh van der Flier was forced off in Glasgow with an ankle injury and will play no part in Belfast, while Rob Kearney was back in Leinster training last week and is now expected to step up his hamstring injury rehab.