LIONS COACH WARREN Gatland says concerns over Johnny Sexton’s durability will have to be taken into account as he starts planning his squad selection for next summer’s tour of New Zealand.
Sexton is currently out of action due to a hamstring issue, with a lack of clarity around when the Ireland and Leinster out-half will be back on the pitch.
The 31-year-old has suffered with injury in recent seasons and Gatland will keep that in mind as he ponders his options at out-half.
Sexton was Lions out-half in 2013. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The likes of George Ford, Dan Biggar and Finn Russell will all feel they have good chances of touring with the Lions, while Owen Farrell provides back-up in the same position even though he has been playing at inside centre with England under Eddie Jones.
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“Obviously Johnny hasn’t played a lot of rugby recently,” said Gatland at Carton House. ”You want him to get through the Six Nations.
“It’s making sure I do my job properly. You look at the quality of someone like Johnny Sexton and the experience he’s had.
“The conversation with Jonny might be, ‘We might take you on tour. There’s been a little bit of concern about your durability. If you do pick up a knock or an injury and you’re out for a couple of weeks, the quality of the squad is such that someone else could step into your shoes and when you come back, normally when you come back in an Irish situation, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been out, you go straight back into the team as number one.
“’If you come into a Lions situation, if someone is playing well, you might not be going back into that starting side as the 10, you might be sitting on the bench or not involved. How are you going to be able to handle that? Are you going to be prepared for that? What’s your attitude around the team and squad going to be like?’
Sexton celebrates the win over New Zealand in Chicago. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“If I’m doing my job properly, I’ve had that conversation with him and potentially he’s got his head right and he’s prepared for that potential eventuality if it does happen.
“The Lions can be a different sort of animal or beast when you have the quality of players to choose from. It’s different.
“From his point of view, the next few months and Six Nations are important for him. A couple of other players have done alright for Ireland – Paddy Jackson and the young boy [Joey] Carbery looks alright for the future as well.
“I think Johnny probably knows he’s probably under a little bit of pressure to be fit and perform too.”
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Pressure on Sexton to get fit as Gatland shares concern over out-half's durability
LIONS COACH WARREN Gatland says concerns over Johnny Sexton’s durability will have to be taken into account as he starts planning his squad selection for next summer’s tour of New Zealand.
Sexton is currently out of action due to a hamstring issue, with a lack of clarity around when the Ireland and Leinster out-half will be back on the pitch.
The 31-year-old has suffered with injury in recent seasons and Gatland will keep that in mind as he ponders his options at out-half.
The likes of George Ford, Dan Biggar and Finn Russell will all feel they have good chances of touring with the Lions, while Owen Farrell provides back-up in the same position even though he has been playing at inside centre with England under Eddie Jones.
“Obviously Johnny hasn’t played a lot of rugby recently,” said Gatland at Carton House. ”You want him to get through the Six Nations.
“It’s making sure I do my job properly. You look at the quality of someone like Johnny Sexton and the experience he’s had.
“The conversation with Jonny might be, ‘We might take you on tour. There’s been a little bit of concern about your durability. If you do pick up a knock or an injury and you’re out for a couple of weeks, the quality of the squad is such that someone else could step into your shoes and when you come back, normally when you come back in an Irish situation, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been out, you go straight back into the team as number one.
“’If you come into a Lions situation, if someone is playing well, you might not be going back into that starting side as the 10, you might be sitting on the bench or not involved. How are you going to be able to handle that? Are you going to be prepared for that? What’s your attitude around the team and squad going to be like?’
“If I’m doing my job properly, I’ve had that conversation with him and potentially he’s got his head right and he’s prepared for that potential eventuality if it does happen.
“The Lions can be a different sort of animal or beast when you have the quality of players to choose from. It’s different.
“From his point of view, the next few months and Six Nations are important for him. A couple of other players have done alright for Ireland – Paddy Jackson and the young boy [Joey] Carbery looks alright for the future as well.
“I think Johnny probably knows he’s probably under a little bit of pressure to be fit and perform too.”
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Fitness Hamstring Johnny Sexton out-half Selection Battle Lions Warren Gatland