HERE’S JOHNNY
Sexton to lead Ireland into Six Nations battle
JOHNNY SEXTON will captain Ireland in the forthcoming Six Nations under Andy Farrell’s new regime.
Joe Schmidt and Rory Best both left their posts after a disappointing World Cup campaign in Japan, leading to a changing of the guard.
And Farrell, who served as defence coach for three years and has succeeded Schmidt as head coach, has turned to Sexton to captain Ireland following Best’s retirement.
The veteran out-half led Ireland for the first time in a World Cup pool game against Russia last year, but now the 34-year-old has been handed the job on permanent basis.
Sexton is currently recovering from a knee injury sustained on duty with Leinster, but he remains confident he’ll be fit for the opening Six Nations game against Scotland in Dublin on February 1.
He said: ‘It’s a massive championship, isn’t it? You get excited every year, you get nervous thinking about it. It is different you know, people talk about European rugby being close to international rugby but when you get onto those first
international games the intensity, the expectation everything just goes up a gear. It brings challenges but I’m looking forward to it. ‘In terms of my body I am feeling really good, I’ve obviously had a few weeks out with the knee but I am close to getting back to full training this week and hopefully I’ll be fully ready to go next week.’ Farrell set his stall out yesterday with a ‘dynamic’ 35-player squad which included the exciting Leinster forward trio of Ronan Kelleher, Caelan Doris and Max Deegan. There were recalls for Devin Toner and Jack McGrath, but veterans such as Rob Kearney, Seán Cronin, Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy were left out. ‘It’s a tremendous group,’ said Farrell. ‘It’s dynamic, it’s powerful, it’s aggressive, it’s got a lot of skill, it’s got a lot of speed in there as well and we want to see all of those.’
Uncapped Ulster tighthead Tom O’Toole earned a callup as did provincial team-mate Billy Burns, while in-form midfielder Stuart McCloskey can count himself unlucky to miss the cut. But Farrell insisted that the door remains open for players. ‘Competition for places at this level is absolutely key and for some of the guys who are obviously upset... the message has been loud and clear — we’ll be watching them play.’