AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, he has conducted a bit of a freight train over the last two seasons but running concurrently to that period of Six Nations success has been Johnny Sexton’s comparatively mediocre tenure in France.
During the opening half of his first season he struggled – a 6-0 defeat away to Oyonnax was rock bottom – but his form improved as the campaign progressed and he eventually steered Racing Metro to an impressive away win in the Top 14 quarter-finals against Toulouse and a narrow defeat to Toulon in the final four.
Unfortunately, his second season was marred by concussion issues that kept him out for three months, and when he finally did he return, Racing were upset by Saracens in the quarter-finals as Sexton looked on injured from the bench.
He spoke honestly on Second Captains Live recently about how he would view his tenure in Paris if he didn’t lift the Top 14 this year.
That prospect is looking increasingly remote at the moment, with the Parisians only drawing 18-18 away to La Rochelle today, in a game that Sexton was on the bench for. That leaves Racing Metro one spot outside the playoff places with one round of the Top 14 to go.
They host Castres next weekend, who secured their survival today, so they might not have a whole lot to play for when they travel to Paris. But if Racing don’t win, or can only match the result of Bordeaux and Oyonnax, who travel to Toulouse and Toulon respectively, they will have to be content with merely a Champions Cup playoff place.
Granted, Racing are likely to sneak into the playoff quarter-finals, but the fact that they are limping into the most important stage of the season (one win in six league games) doesn’t say a lot for where the team is almost two full seasons after Sexton’s arrival.
I’m dick of telling the blue hordes that this guy is a good outhalf but only a good outhalf. Yes he’s the best in Ireland at the moment. But not what the media promote him to be!
You’re a dick?
Monumental typo!!
http://intheloose.com/2015/05/13/the-over-rated-xv/ Phil I think you’d really enjoy this a lot.
I sure did.
I agree with that article. With every position
One of the stupidest articles I’ve ever read. Thanks for the laugh anyway x
Aaron which positions in particular did you not like?
U r 100 per cent right he is world class when team is in front foot but rubbish controlling a game when there under pressure
One of the most ridiculous rugby articles ever. Shows you up if you post it or agree with it!
It’s a bit harsh on J Sexton. He is one of the best #10 but I ‘ve a real issue with his personality and perhaps his commitment. When he plays for Ireland it’s hard to criticize him but in France with Racing metro it looks like he doesn’t care at all. He might finds it hard to play abroad etc but he is a professional.
One of the most over-hyped players in Irish rugby history
Must have forgotten the Heineken Cup Final comeback against Northampton ! Led by who ?
Why is that exactly? It comes as no surprise to most that both Leinster and Ireland have been at their best when he’s been playing. Anyone who knows the sport well rates him as one of the best in the world, both here at home and abroad. He’s won Pro12s, HECs, 6Ns and B&I Lions tours as the starting 10. I’m not sure how someone with his credentials can be considered to be overrated or, as others have opined, ordinary. I’m sensing a bit of trolling and some bias here today….
One of Racing’s big problems is discipline. I’ve not watched a hell of a lot of their Top 14 games this season, mainly their Champions Cup games, but they gift a lot of points on penalties. They shipped 78 penalties throughout their European campaign, including 12 against Saracens in the quarter finals, and Sarries scored all of their points off penalties. In their last five Top 14 games before La Rochelle, they gave up 65 penalties, three yellows and one red card. I’ve not seen the stats on the La Rochelle game, but I know La Rochelle managed to nab the draw off a penalty. If they don’t get their discipline sorted, it won’t matter which half back is steering the ship.
He only signed for the money. He has been a disaster there and their fans are glad to see the back of him.
Total and utter nonsense.
Of course he signed for the money, he hardly signed for the rich history or trophy opportunities did he?
Rochelle we ALL signs for money. I mean you and I get pay from our employees. We have to give our best but he looks like he didn’t. I read enough French rugby articles and comments so I can say that French people clearly question his commitment and attitudes. I am one of them.
One player doesn’t make a team.
No matter how many Leinster or Ireland fans proclaim that while he’s in France.
He’ll soon be back and we will welcome him back with open arms and these comments won’t be said, typed or heard.
He will not be Leinsters Messiah…. without a world class scrum half inside him, he’s ordinary.
Works both ways.
Can o Connor make him and the rest tick?
Unsure.
This boys a leader, a game changer and a self believer. You need to build around him.
I just dont see Moc utilising him right.
He’s a game changer but an on field dictator and leader.
Any one remember Jimmy getting most games at 10 this year. .
I’ve seen Cian spew some utter tripe on this in my time but calling sexton ordinary and claiming he is somehow utterly dependant on his scrum half partners is a new low. He almost single handedly won the HCup final against Northampton. Also an integral part of the lions series win playing alongside a woefully out of form Mike Phillips. His composure and big match temperament when he came on for Contepomi in 09? So many examples….
I just don’t understand the bitterness of some Munster fans.
Nice one Cian, that would explain why he played so bad with Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Cillian Wills, Issac Boss, Eoin Reddan, John Cooney and Luke McGrath playing on the same team as him. Can you remove your overtly sexual attraction to Munster players for one minute and actually focus on an article that has nothing to do with them? I know you get seriously hard thinking about them and go to the42.ie for a bit of release, but give it a rest man.
Probably could have left it at the first sentence there fella, that was more than enough to make the point!
Well said COYBIB. That’s a right clamping you dished out to Munster groupie Cian O’Donoghue there.
Rugby isn’t a one man game, Sexto has been injured for a lot of this season but when he’s played he’s played well. Delighted to see him back in Ireland next season, although Leinster need more than him if they wish to mount a serious challenge for the Champion’s Cup next year.
Watched him last week and he was was very ordinary. …
I get the impression that he may have gone past his peak, he was a lot less impressive for Ireland in 2015 comapred to 2014 and seems to be fading as a force for Racing as well. Not ideal with the world cup around the corner.
Ending in disaster? Exaggerated or what? Jesus I hope you never have to write about a train crash or a ferry sinking.