JONATHAN SEXTON HAS always come across as an unequivocating sort.
Players at the peak of sport tend to be. You can see it on the field when he barks orders at team-mates or indeed when he backs himself to execute a precision play under pressure.
He would back himself in an interview setting too, notably in recent years when the question has come about his endgame as a player.
Rugby is a punishing game and Sexton’s body is 35 years of age. He’ll be 36 come summer, but after the 2019 World Cup he spoke with insistence about playing for the Lions this summer and the 2023 World Cup was never something to be counted out.
After missing Ireland’s loss to France through concussion, Sexton was speaking today as he prepared to return as captain for the round three Six Nations match away to Italy and there was suddenly a sense of doubt when discussing future landmarks.
Either this is the dice roll of a player with an expiring contact, he is feeling the wear and tear of the game more acutely now or perhaps it’s just that a pandemic year has made planning and projecting seem futile.
“When we talk about World Cup cycles,” Sexton said midway through an answer to a question about Ireland’s lack of clinical edge against France, “I might not be a part of the full cycle, but this group will definitely be better for this type of coaching and structures.”
When his change in outlook is pointed out, he insists the projections of his longevity had always come from other voices. He is asked if he might follow the footsteps of Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara by moving from playing to coaching, or perhaps consider punditry, he grimaces.
“Eh, none of the above.
“I have a fair idea what I’ll be doing… I’ve got some things that I’ll work towards, whether it’s a year or two years I don’t know. I’ll work towards getting into the real world and start another life.
“There are parts of this game that are amazing, that you love and you’d love to be a part of it forever. And then there are some parts you can’t wait to get a million miles away from it.
“So I love it at the moment. I’m loving every moment of playing. I’m just going to focus on this campaign and, if I’m around next year, just focus on that and try and make the most of whatever is left.”
There’s the uncertainty again, the ‘if’. Perhaps he would feel more confident about planning the years ahead if his current contract wasn’t on the expiring pile.
“Nearly, yeah, nearly, nearly,” he says when asked if the deal was on the way.
“Waiting on… nearly there, waiting on Leinster to see if Leinster want to keep me or not.”
If that’s the case, Ireland need the drop him ASAP! It’s no point having him for the next year only for him to hang up his boots 12 months away from a World Cup. Need to get other 10’s up to speed with international rugby
@Paul Reid: Why the World Cup? We have no chance of winning the next one, the 6 nations generates IRFU money so focus should always be on that.
@Paul Reid: hopefully they won’t make the same mistake as they did with BOD and give me a luxury contract to see out till 12 months from a World Cup leaving ireland scrambling for a centre
@Sophie: in that case well never get beyond the QF. If ever want to challenge for the WC we need to be on a 4 year cycle like all the Southern Hemisphere teams plus Fiji Samoa Japan… It may mean sacrificing some 6 nations tournaments. NZ are ruthless. Likes of Carter only retired this month but hung up the boots at 32 for The AB’s. We either continue on our current cycle and feel content we will never challenge for the WC (continue to be beaten by Argentina/Japan or move to a WC 4yr build.
@James Doyle: apples and oranges. difference there is that NZ had a very worthy successor to Carter. Who do we have (fit and available)??
@Sophie: and that’s why we’ll never progress on the main international stage.
@Keith Synnott: we will never know if we don’t play them , Byrne deserves a run which nobody seems willing to give him ,I think he’s earned it on his performances for Leinster he’s never let them down .
@Paul Reid: about time! He’s only a part timer in any case.
@Patrick O Connell: What ????the world hasn’t found another BOD,we have Ringrose and Henshaw Class centres
@Paul Reid: My surgeon is near retirement but is considered best in his field. There’s lots of new surgeons coming along but not the same quality. Who should I choose for my impending operation?
Jonny is the best out-half we have. So yes, bring on new talent but be careful about throwing him out! Dan Carter just retired from rugby aged 38!
@David O’Donaghue: they didn’t. This is my point. It took Carter to retire to move Barrett to 10. He had only played a handful of games at 10 for AB’s before this. It’s not just sexton. O’ Mahony Murray etc won’t make the WC either
@Paul Reid: 100% ..shouldn’t have been a starter in this 6nations. Fantastic sub
It’s disappointing to see the lack of respect and gratitude from so many Irish “fans” on here. I wish him luck in whatever he decides to do as he has given so much to Irish and leinster rugby.
@amusing_musings: its ridiculous to see all those comments. I dunno whether its short memories or just biased against Leinster but Leinster and Ireland have been very lucky to have him. On the other hand, I definitely think their should be a building process started to bed in a replacement. It’s too vital a position to rest on
@Will: My ‘good’ was for his own well-being. If even a quarter of the concussion rumours are true he needs to get out of the game quickly.
@amusing_musings: You’re spot on in that he has given so much to Irish rugby. The issue however, is he is giving too much to Irish rugby. Hats off to the guy for everything he has done but it really is time to stand down and it’s frustrating everyone. Even just retire from international rugby and focus fully on mentoring Byrne and Frawley at Leinster, providing experience off the bench.
Even getting him involved with academy and under age 10s around the country.
@Gar Eth: Has any elite sportman ever voluntarily stood down to help the development of their potential successor when they were still number 1 in their position and starting when fit? This idea that he’s somehow hogging the jersey and needs to give someone else a go is a bit ridiculous. His job is to perform as best he can. Guys like that are stubborn minded and will always back themselves. It’s part of what gets them to that level to begin with. If there comes a time that they aren’t up to it and/or there’s a better option then it’s the coach’s job to pick someone else
@James F Davis: spot on… I don’t even understand why this line of questioning is directed at him. His job is to do his best and if he is the coach’s selection then get out there and do your best for the shirt.
It is the coach’s job to prepare for both today and tomorrow. He could be picking Sexton now because he is the best but he needs to be mindful of what happens after Johnny calls it quits or gets injured. Little to no experience in a pivotal position is far from ideal. I think we saw that to a certain extent with Best in the hooker position and it will be accentuated significantly at 10.
Anyway… Jonny Sexton is a competitive beast and it’s up to the other 10s to make themselves at least credible contenders. That’s my take.
Well that 100% tells you he thinks he can make it hahaha. Love him or not, think he’s right man for WC2023 or he’s done already, you actually have to admire his hunger… Its almost frightening, but thats what’s brought him to the top, and kept him there or there abouts for so long.
@Ultan Corcoran: no out half in Ireland is currently near him, guys here looking for 3rd string players at their provinces as the answer. Until someone proves they are better he still the right man for the job. Can’t believe the slack he is taking because of a poor coaching unit.
@blindside: can’t prove they’re better if they aren’t tested at the same level and to be fair they only need to be the next best to deserve that opportunity.
@Dave O Keeffe: if they are good they need to be starting at their provinces first, ridiculous to say they should be thrown into international rugby at the most important position.
@blindside: certainly from an experience point if view he rules the roost. I do feel other 10s need to get the chance now tho… even maybe a role reversal were Sexton comes on and sees out the game for the last 15-20? A great player but I do think Burns has actually shown more with the ball in hand thus far and SquidgeRugby’s video after the wales game kinda shows that nicely. Just ideas tho… no denying Johnny is still a class act!
2021 looks like it beyond him, never mind 2023. He needs to step aside and give youth & on form players a chance,
Carty is the on form 10 in the country at present, and should be given 1st choice game time , Jack Crowley, Harry Byrne are the future 10′s and need senior game time at pro 14 and international level.
We need to be building towards 2023, not introducing them in 2023..
@Shirley: No, he doesn’t need to step aside. Sexton isn’t picking the team. If he thinks he can still play and contribute, he’s got the right to do so. It is up to the alternative players to prove they are worthy of a start and it is up to the management at Leinster and Ireland to pick other players. That isn’t Sexton’s responsibility.
Kind of looking like the 2021 six nations is a bit beyond him
No surprise there
Like him or not time to go Johnny can t get beyond 50 mins now too injury prone
What happened to the Tom Brady project….
@retsnuM: Tom Brady doesn’t take as many hits as Sexton
Thing is, if sexton was benched for big games with the intention of starting out halves to build experience, he might actually make it to the next WC.
I wouldn’t mind swing him come on in WC quarter final to close out a game with 20 minutes left on the clock.
But starting all big games at his age and the way he plays just seems ridiculous and will hold Ireland back.
@Aaron Tynan: agreed. They did that with ROG in the WC in 2011 and it worked well. Just have to find the new #10
@Aaron Tynan: not sure he’d be willing to play the role of sub… but if he was that would be great
Just read the headline and my immediate reaction is………………………………….. GOOD.
Just like 2019 was
Time he retired from international rugby. He was never a good captain for Ireland took everything to personal.. time to give others a chance
Same with Murray Earls and I Mahony. …
Right call , he can’t even last a whole game at the moment . Don’t think that will change .
@Michael Cunningham: when was the last game u saw a ten playing for 80 minutes?
2021 season is beyond him.
2018 was beyond him.
@Ken Butler: the year he won World Player of the Year?
@Ken Butler: watching soccer were ye?
Hes waiting for the Lions, he can’t leave Ireland till that’s done and it mightnt be till next year.
@Niall Mc Gourty: he doesn’t need to be playing for Ireland to be picked with lions
@Niall Mc Gourty: he won’t make the lions! Not a chance of being picked IMO
@Barry Newell: won’t be picked either way
Great Player for Ireland three years ago, maybe should have retired last year, so who is his spin analysitis,?
Still the best outhalf Ireland and Leinster have. There is a lot of talk about a few successors but as yet none come even close. I dearly hope Leinster give him another contract. He is worth it. Those of you wishin he went will only realise his worth once he is gone.
Even if he isn’t the starter over the next year or two I think Jonny being in the squad will add an awful lot to some of the younger 10s coming through. I think if he were dropped out of Irish squads young 10s from other provinces will lose out on a lot of untapped knowledge e.g. Lions tours, WC’s, HC wins etc
As a Munster fan my only concern with the young talent coming through is not having a player/mentor with a lot of experience available to them. I know Larkham can be this but having someone really experienced who you’re learning and competing with is huge.
@Leroy Jenkins: couldn’t agree more , definitely time Jonny started winding down but i for one would be extremely disappointed if he didn’t stay around the Irish setup as a skills coach or similar. So much knowledge / experience there to be shared .
Have to say, I don’t see why they cannot build now given his age. Making him captain was a dumb idea. He won’t make the world Cup but is still good enough to prevent other players getting on and building on. It’s last time for the coach to make the call here but A.Farrell hasn’t got it in him.
As a matter of interest when was the last time he played up to standard for Ireland ? 2018
@ger gavin: lol. What’s the standard and who decides? To some people, 2018. To some people 2021. Irrelevant question.
@Ricky Wright: the standard required to play out half in an international team , thought that would be obvious, LOL
Whaaaaaatttttt?!!
Farrell should do the honourable thing and go with him.
The international game is well beyond him now….
Still can’t get over how bad they were in the last World Cup.
Don’t really want to be listening to there opinions or thoughts until they preform in one
He’s sound