Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GAT IT WRONG
O’gara: Sexton should have gone.. he is the man for the big occasion
RONAN O’GARA (above) believes Warren Gatland was wrong to exclude Johnny Sexton from his Lions squad.
The absence of the Ireland captain from the 37-man squad was one of the main talking points after the side was revealed for this summer’s tour to South Africa on Thursday.
Gatland cited durability concerns as the reason for leaving Sexton out, but O’gara believes the Leinster man’s form this year should have been enough to secure his place in the squad.
He told Off The Ball: “If I was Johnny Sexton, I would be very disappointed and I think he has every reason to be disappointed.
“The tour is now. We are not looking at summer in 12 months, it is now. I think he had an excellent Six Nations; his goal kicking is as good as it has ever been if not better.
“I think he is the man for the big occasion, I think he can manage his body for the next three months to get the best out of him.
“With regard to going on a tour with everything on the line, [and everything] involved in winning a test series, I think he is invaluable in your 23.”
O’gara revealed he sent his former rival a message after the squad was named because he felt for him.
He said: “I did [send Sexton a text]; I felt for him. It hit me because I know how much of a competitor he is, and I know how much it means to him.
“We have had our differences over the years, most definitely, but we had a lovely few years in Paris together that was hugely enjoyable.
“I have had periods of strong contact and periods where you wouldn’t be in contact, but there is an awful lot of respect there and I admire what he has done in his career.
“It is tough, but that is what happens. It is tough, but it is not personal, and you move onto the next job, and Johnny will move on and get motivated for what his next challenge is.”
But O’gara stated James Ryan (inset) was the player he felt sorry for.
He added: “Johnny is at an age where he has done so much. It is someone like James Ryan you have to be particularly disappointed for.
“He is at an age where he is probably not near his prime, but he has offered so much. We were categorising him as a world-class player, a potential Ireland captain, Lions captain and then all of a sudden, this morning, he is not involved in the squad.
“That is soul destroying. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger as the saying says, and that is so true.”