The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sexton set to kick on as captain
Johnny Sexton will realise a boyhood dream when he captains Ireland for the first time in tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Russia.
The 34-year-old British and Irish Lions fly-half will take the armband with Ireland making 11 changes, resting the likes of skipper Rory Best.
Sexton is fit again after a bang to the thigh that kept him out of Sunday’s 19-12 defeat by hosts Japan, and revealed his pride and excitement at leading his country.
“It’s a massive honour; I spoke to Joe Schmidt this morning so I only found out myself over the last few hours,” said Sexton.
“So I haven’t even had a chance yet to tell my family or anything, but I’m sure they’re going to be very proud as well.
“It’s something that I’ve thought about since I was a kid, it’s something that I’ve made a lot of decisions in or around trying to get there.
“It’s taken a while but it was worth the wait and I’m incredibly proud.
“I want to be captain now of a good performance and a good win in a World Cup game so that’s my focus now.
Sexton toughed out Ireland’s fine 27-3 win over Scotland that set them rolling in Pool A.
The 85-cap playmaker had to cede kicking duties to Conor Murray due to that bang to the thigh against Scotland, and then that same niggle forced him out of the Brave Blossoms loss.
Now, though, he insists he is fully fit – and ready to kick goals against Russia.
Asked if he is 100% fit again, Sexton said: “Yes, I kicked a little bit yesterday. Then I kicked again today in both sessions so I feel good to go now.”
Today’s games see France face United States in Pool C before New Zealand take on Canada in Pool B.