Sexton can edge out Farrell says Lancaster
OWEN FARRELL has been the driving force behind England’s Six Nations title this season, but Stuart Lancaster believes he could meet his match this evening in Ireland playmaker Johnny Sexton.
The former England coach, who now works with half the Ireland side at Pro12 leaders Leinster, has been struck by the parallels between Sexton and Farrell.
“The comparison with Owen is a valid one. They are both very strong leaders, very competitive and determined to do well. They are very similar in style too. What Johnny has is a bit more international experience – he is 31 now,” said Lancaster.
“Johnny was one of the first people I met when I came to Leinster. I have really enjoyed working with him. I’ve tried to develop him so he becomes more instinctive and can see and play in the moment.
“We always rated him highly when I was with England but I’ve been really impressed with his ability to lead a team around the field and to work to a game plan.
“I’ve also seen how good his decision-making is – a lot better than I’d realised. He can sense very quickly when there is a disconnect in the defensive line and he’s very good at exploiting that.”
Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose, his Leinster teammates, will be lying in wait outside Sexton this evening. In paying tribute to the spadework Lancaster did in assembling and breaking in this England team, which Eddie Jones has taken on to the brink of successive Grand Slams, the Australian earlier this week raised the question of which side Lancaster would be “barracking for” now that he is “batting for the other side”.
The answer is simple given Lancaster remains an Englishman, but that has not stopped the management of Ireland using his input since he arrived at Leinster six months ago. “Club and country need to get on for the national team to be successful,” said Lancaster.
England’s record of 18 successive wins began with Lancaster’s last match in charge against Uruguay.
Although he tasted victory in Dublin in 2013, the 19-9 defeat two years later meant Ireland pipped England to the championship on points difference.