SKIPPER SEXTON LIVING HIS DREAM

A PERK of the new Leinster captaincy for Johnny Sexton was posing alongside the PRO14 trophy at Celtic Park yesterday morning.

It’s been a remarkable few months for the 33-year-old.

There was Ireland’s 6 Nations triumph and a subsequent historic series win in Australia and sandwiched in between came the Champions Cup and PRO14 title successes with Leinster.

Then earlier this month his wife Laura gave birth to their third child Sophie – and in the same week he was announced as captain.

“It was something that I always wanted to do since I was a kid, supporting Leinster,” he said.

“We had conversations around how it would work – whether I’d do it by myself or would there be a co-captain.

“We came to this decision and I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to take the responsibility. I have big boots to fill, but I hope I’m ready.” Sexton’s time with Leinster will still be limited due to Ireland commitments.

“That was part of the conversation,” he acknowledged. “Isa (Nacewa) was the ideal one, he was there all year round. “I won’t be but I’ll try and ensure I’m there as much as I can during those idle weeks during the 6 Nations, making sure I stay in contact with the guys.

Sexton (above) is delighted Felipe Contepomi has returned to the province as the new backs coach.

He said: “He’s been brilliant, looking at where he thinks we can improve.”

Sexton insists Leinster can’t focus on defending their double success either.

“You’ve got to take it away from the end result,” he said. “If you think, ‘right, we’ve got to win those two trophies again’, then we’ll get ourselves in trouble.

“There are lots of ways we can get better – and we need to”.