He’s an incredible player and is banging on our door..
JENKINS PRAISE FOR SEXTON
JOHNNY SEXTON is “banging down the door” to get on the Lions tour to South Africa, says Neil Jenkins.
And Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who joins Welsh kicking coach Jenkins as part of
Warren Gatland’s coaching ticket, believes the
Ireland veteran has hit form right on time this year.
“He’s been an incredible player, hasn’t he,” said Jenkins (inset), who will work closely with the kickers in South Africa.
“I’ve been watching him this year, watching closely because when we played Ireland he was a big threat to us.
“A fantastic player for Leinster and Ireland and he has been for the Lions as well.
“Johnny has been incredible, it’s no surprise to me that he’s banging down the door to get into the Lions tour.
“He’s a fantastic player and he’s having a decent season.”
Townsend sees the battle to wear the No.10 jersey as tough to call. Sexton, who will turn 36 before the first Test, will expect to be the first choice again, having won the jersey back off Owen Farrell in New Zealand four years ago.
“He’s obviously very much in the mix,” said Townsend. “It’s a very, very strong position we are discussing.
“Players are at the top of their game, they’re at a really good age, some of those 10s are full of experience. Finn Russell is only 28, Dan Biggar is a little bit older, Farrell is a similar age.
“Johnny Sexton is older, but full of experience. He played a really good game against Scotland in the Six Nations and against England, so we’ve real depth there at 10.
“I’m sure there will be more discussions there over the next few weeks.”
Jenkins believes that experience is a “massive” factor on a tour like this with the current world champions as the opposition.
“Any Lions tour you’ll always get a bolter or one or two on their first tour,” he said.
“But the experience of players who have done one, two tours or some possibly have done three and are going again.
“That can happen, so the experience is massive. People who have been there and done it are important even for the youngsters.
“It can be a little bit daunting as a first-time tourist coming into these environments, but it’s an opportunity for them to see what about.
“They’re going to have to put their front-foot forward against these guys, they’re a good outfit.”
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