DO NOT DOUBT JOHNNY SEXTOM
Leo: Skipper is our quarterback & can copy Brady’s playbook
Leinster Glasgow The RDS, 7.35pm
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LEO CULLEN has backed Johnny Sexton to prove his class as Ireland captain – after Ronan O’gara said the out half is under too much pressure.
Sexton, named captain by Andy Farrell after Rory Best’s retirement last year, was made Leinster captain in 2018.
But Munster legend O’gara spoke out after Ireland’s drubbing by England last Sunday, with Sexton struggling off the tee and with ball in hand.
“There’s a lot on his plate with the captaincy, I wasn’t a fan of it from day one,” O’gara told Off the Ball.
“For me, a team is better suited with another leader as your captain as opposed to your number 10 because he’s the onfield leader anyway.”
But Cullen (inset) supported his outhalf, and predicted he would bounce back stronger than ever after his first defeat since being named skipper.
Cullen said: “Johnny’s captain of the club, and the main reason for that is because we think he’s the best person for the job.
“Why do we think he’s the
LEINSTER (v Glasgow)
best person to do it? He’s got such a bank of rugby knowledge, intellect, and he’s so passionate about this team.
“I’m pretty sure this is transferring over to the Irish team as well.
“He’s a fierce competitor and wants the best for the team he’s playing in.”
Sexton will turn 35 this summer, but Cullen does not believe age is an important factor in his performance.
The Dubliner has said he wants to match NFL legend Tom Brady’s playing longevity – the Patriots quarterback is still playing at age 42 – and Cullen does not think it’s out of the question.
“It’s sort of a common script, as players of any sport start to get that little bit older, people wonder when the downfall is going to happen, that’s a normal narrative I believe, but Johnny’s incredibly resilient.
“He’s been written off many, many times before and he always comes back stronger.
“Certain positions, if you lost speed it has an effect on performance, but in other positions it doesn’t make that much difference.
“Tens, in terms of key decision makers, they’re your quarterback – like Tom Brady, people have been writing him off for what, the last six seasons? But he keeps proving people wrong, and coming back.
“I think Johnny sees himself in that mode. It’s the ability to think.
“You see some tennis players, like [Roger] Federer who’s still able to produce it against athletes who are more in their prime.
“There’s the mental prime that comes with age and having done it, there’s a real value to that in certain positions in the team. That doesn’t necessarily transfer to all positions, but ten is one of those.”