ANDY FARRELL, THE Ireland coach, said he was perplexed by Johnny Sexton’s continued omission from the Lions tour, after Warren Gatland called up Marcus Smith to join the squad in South Africa.
An Achilles injury looks set to end Russell’s chances of playing in the Test series and while he remains in the camp for now, Smith’s arrival has seen the Harlequins youngster shoot up the pecking order. Sexton, meanwhile, looks set to watch the series from home.
“Johnny is fighting fit,” Farrell said after Ireland’s win over the USA. “He’s been in our camp, is taking good care of himself and Warren knows that. I heard the comments; I think he made the comments that it was a like-for-like (replacement) in terms of Finn Russell and Marcus Smith.
“I mean, I don’t know what to make of it, to be honest. Again, I can only go back to what we all know, who was the best outhalf in the Six Nations? I don’t know what more Johnny could do really.”
Right now a number of Irish players are being advised to do nothing except keep in trim, in case further injuries result in them getting a call from Gatland to fly south.
“The lads that have had a (Lions) letter and who are in the group of 50, I’m sure they’d be the next cabs off the rank,” Farrell said.
“If I was the likes of Josh van der Flier and even Caelan Doris, I’d certainly be looking after myself. It’s been a hell of a year and all credit to them for how they finished the season off. They warrant a good break now.”
He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)