Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CUP IS THE BIG TARGET
has become an obsession to break through that glass ceiling.
Sexton (above) believes that the progress of the last year can make it happen but he said: “We’ve got great potential, haven’t we?
“That’s what we have at the moment and we’ve got to make it reality. We’ve got to keep building over the next 18 months to make sure that when the World Cup does come around we’ve taken a slightly different approach.
“We’ve started talking about it already that this is the journey – which is a different approach to previous management that I’ve worked under – but I think is the right way to do it.
“We’re confident in the journey we’re on. But at the moment it’s only an opportunity.
“We need to keep developing. We had some young guys in during the week who were incredibly impressive and we’ve had some young guys in through the last year who have been incredibly impressive.
“We need to bring them up to speed and make sure they’re ready in 18 months’ time.
“We’ll get a few bolters, guys that can make a huge difference and that’s what we need over the next 18 months to make the squad stronger and better. I’m sure that’s what Andy will be doing.”
Sexton revealed he had never been as nervous before a game as Ireland blew hot and cold but earned their third bonus point victory in a row since their loss to France in Paris last month.
“I think because this team means so much to me, genuinely,” said the 36-year-old. “I wanted us to have something to show for all our hard work over the last few weeks. It’s an incredible environment.
“It was more for the squad. That was it. I was nervous. I wanted us to play our best.
“We didn’t quite get there but we did good things at times and we showed guts and showed everyone in the stadium what it means to us to play for Ireland.
“That’s the most important thing. We did some things very well but not as well as we would have wanted in a final.
“We were searching for that x factor performance. We did just enough. We did exactly what we wanted.”