LIONS KICKING COACH Neil Jenkins admits concerns surrounding Johnny Sexton’s durability played a part in the decision to leave him out of the 37-man squad named by Warren Gatland earlier today.
Sexton was one of the headline omissions from Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad, with the Lions coaches instead placing their faith in Wales’ Dan Biggar, Scotland out-half Finn Russell and England captain Owen Farrell.
And Jenkins, who worked with Sexton on the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours, said the coaching team held doubts about the Ireland captain’s ability to withstand the physical demands of a tour against the world champion Springboks.
Sexton is currently stood down from playing action having suffered three head injuries this year. His most recent appearance saw him withdrawn in the first half of Leinster’s Champions Cup win over Exeter Chiefs on 10 April.
“Obviously there is a little bit of concern about the concussions and stuff like that, there is no doubting that,” Jenkins said.
“But that’s obviously for the medical staff and the medical side of things. There’s a little bit of durability (to consider), but look, he’s a fantastic player. We’re not questioning that whatsoever.
“It’s just very difficult where we are going, the physicality, the presence they are going to bring, and the other boys are very, very good themselves.
“So it’s very difficult on whoever is going to miss out. Someone is going to be extremely disappointed, and rightly so.
“Sadly at this point in time it’s Johnny. He’s a fantastic player, he’s been exceptional on the last two Lions tours that I have been on, and been very good with myself.”
Jenkins added that he had actually been particularly impressed with Sexton’s form this year, before injuries disrupted his season.
“His goal-kicking in the Six Nations was very, very good. The best I’ve seen him kick, to be honest with you, off the floor especially. I know he is very good anyway, but he has been exceptional in terms of this Six Nations.
“It’s very, very tough. You’ve got Dan Biggar from Wales who excelled, Finn Russell, Owen Farrell and obviously Johnny, so someone was going to miss out. Finn missed out four years ago, and this time sadly it’s Johnny.
“I don’t think there’s an easy way to go about it really. He’s a fantastic player, but it’s very, very difficult to pick between all four of them and sadly at this moment in time, Johnny has just missed out.”
Jenkins is preparing to embark on his fourth tour as a Lions coach.
“I just see a lot of my time as a facilitator for these boys. They are so good, they go about their business day in, day out and they are the best of the best when they turn up. We try and keep them doing the same stuff that they do whether it be with Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales.
“He’s (Sexton) had a good Six Nations, but look, the other guys have as well. I know Owen is a fantastic player, he’s been there and done it himself. So it’s not an easy decision by any stretch of the imagination.
“It’s very, very tough, and whoever it was going to be, I know is going to be hugely disappointed and the other three will obviously be extremely pleased.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
It’s fair enough. Class act as he is, he’s getting on and going against arguably the most physical nation in rugby. Don’t want to be carrying around injured men because he would be targeted almost every game. Only way I could have forseen him going is playing out/managing the last 20 of a game.
@Ultan Corcoran: Yeah you’re right, and even someone who would be a test bench player has to be up to starting. With Johnny I can see whenever he came on (start or after 55 mins) some monstrous SA back rower or lock trying to ‘test his durability’. Plus I expect the training games to be pretty full on as well as everyone tries to stake their claims. Lions tours are always tough so this might actually extend his career too. Along with giving him an extra chip on the shoulder to add to his motivation next season.
@Paddy Kennedy: Stating facts on everything man, nearly every Saffa forward would be out to paste him from the get go. Think every tour is different and being SA this time around, thats why the bruisers are being called up rather than the less physical lads. A shame but definitely could elongate his careers in both Blue and Green.
@Ultan Corcoran: every forward wants to paste the 10. Sexton is one of the strongest defenders playing 10 arround. He’s not fit so doesn’t go and that’s fair enough but there’s far flakier 10′s about
@Chris Mc: nothing to do with flakieness it’s about durability why risk having your starting 10 injured 15 min into game 1 and having to re make a game plan plan the rest of the series and bring in a extra player.
Think you might see him called up yet. If there are injuries at fly-half, you’d certainly expect Sexton to get the nod over Ford say. Other than that, he’s not played much since the 6N so it’s arguably the right call by the selectors.
@Carmine Lorenzo: If they’re worried about his durability today, that’s not gonna change in 4 weeks’ time. Ford goes before Sexton based on the comments of Jenkins. No doubt.
@Ricky Wright: I’d be surprised if Gatland picked Ford even as a replacement due to his lack of physicality.
@Ricky Wright: I get what you’re saying, but if the test week is approaching with a few of the club games out of the way, I could see them opting for Sexton ahead of Ford for example if there were injuries. If this squad was picked at the end of the 6N, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’d have selected him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Agreed. I think he travels if the squad was picked the night after we beat England. But if the squad was picked in January, maybe he wouldn’t have. For Sexton, he needs game time to prove he’s fit, not on form. He’s not gonna get that. I thought they’d bring him and use him sparingly until the first test. Easier to do with a shorter schedule.
Tom Brady, I’ll just leave that there.
@Aidan Kearney: i dont follow NFL, but how many times has Brady gone off injured this season?
@Gar: he hurt his knee in 2008 missed a season I think. Missed 4 games in 2016 because he let some air out of a football
@Aidan Kearney: god forbib someone should have an ambition.
@Aidan Kearney: if sexton was made of the same stuff as Brady he might of been on plane , Brady has rarely been injured
@Aidan Kearney: good lad I’m sure we would be embarrassed with your sporting or rugby cv
@Aidan Kearney: Larry Bird!
Who’s got next in naming old US athletes in sports that have nothing to do with rugby?
@Aidan Kearney: ha…if brady had got the same treatment as sexton, he’d have retired at 24…
‘roughing the passer’ ill just jeave that there
Wow 4 nations and they get to pick 3 no.10′s….. they mustn’t listen to Newstalk radio or to iiam toland. That’s some reflection of how those outside Ireland see sexton.
@Kevin O’brien: are opinions outside of Ireland more valid than those in Ireland
Off the ball are at it right now. It’s so funny to listen to them moan. They are the Johnny Sexton fan club. It’s so funny to hear them make up excuses.
There’s a lot of training and warmups before the tests .Not wishing any injuries on any player but there will be a few for sure.
Plays against LaRog and goes. Shame for him, would have been a nice cherry on top of the twilight of his career, always more that go out so hope for a few yet. Some mad selections in there, Saffies will steam roll it.