PERFECT LEADER SEXTON

JOHNNY SEXTON has been tipped to fill Isa Nacewa’s boots as Leinster’s captain fantastic.

The Ireland and Lions out-half (above) was named skipper earlier this week, with Rhys Ruddock as vice-captain.

And Ruddock, the Leinster and Ireland back rower, says his colleague is the ideal man to be given the armband.

“He is the right man for the job and if anyone can take over Isa’s mantle and bring us forward it’s Johnny with his commitment to the club and his passion for Leinster,” Ruddock (inset) said.

“I see him as the most passionate about Leinster and the success of the team, the future of the club.

“Ultimately he’s the most competitive and driven to win and he wants the best for the team. So that, for me, is probably the most important thing.

“Aside from that, the values and the way he lives day to day, is an example to set to any young player. He’s the consummate professional, quality in everything he does.”

Sexton’s workload is likely to increase with the captaincy. He will now speak to the media more often and will front up as the face of the province off the pitch.

But is it too much to take on with a World Cup around the corner?

“That’s the nature of the role a No10 plays in the modern game,” Ruddock said. “He does prepare the team and organise a lot during the week in terms of how we’re going to play the game and the tactics we’ll use.

“He obviously then has a role in managing that on the pitch at the time.”