IRELAND CAPTAIN JOHNNY Sexton admits he and his team-mates are conscious of the need to represent a nation reeling from a return to Level 5 restrictions.
The out-half was speaking at a virtual press conference today at Ireland’s training base in Abbottstown ahead of Saturday’s rescheduled Six Nations meeting against Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Strictly speaking, Level 5 restrictions as first drawn up would not allow for sport to continue and would have brought a return to the hiatus experienced through the summer. However, elite sport was granted an exemption from this round of government restrictions and Sexton found himself repeatedly uttering words like ‘grateful’ and ‘lucky’ as he looked ahead to his return to the Test arena in the weeks ahead.
With lives, health and livelihoods put under threat by rising Covid-19 numbers, continuing sport will serve as something of a distraction this time around. Sexton was asked if he felt the need to ‘put on a show’ against Italy and tilted the outlook only slightly in response.
“Not so much ‘putting on a show’, but you feel a bigger responsibility with the restrictions that have come in and the country going back to Level 5,” says the 35-year-old skipper.
“Any time you play for Ireland it’s a big responsibility, but yeah, there’s a little bit of an extra onus on us this week.
“We need to win the game first and foremost, that’s most important because (the Championship) could come down to points difference and bonus points. That will come later in the game, but we need to try and win the game first.
Putting on a show isn’t something we’ve talked about, but putting on a good performance is something we’re conscious of and want to do.”
Yet for all the responsibility, Sexton is also acutely aware that carrying a nation’s mood on the shoulders would likely be detrimental to performances.
“That’s the balance that we have to find. We don’t want it to be a burden. You guys are asking about the duty we feel, but we don’t want that to weigh us down.
“We want to use it as an opportunity, we’re privileged to go and do our thing in front of the country.
“That’s why you start playing the game as a kid… so we can’t let that be a massive pressure on us.
“The coaches have been brilliant in getting the balance between having fun and serious and getting down to rugby and hard work.
“The balance has been brilliant since Andy (Farrell) has taken over.”
Aldo’s loves talkin nonsense. Im 100% the next fight will be vs Halloway. Aldo prob holds the record in most pull outs and is p4p the biggest moaner in the UFC
Ariel Helwani tweeted that he fact checked everything Aldo said about UFC208 and the LW title shot in March after the interview and its 100% accurate.
At this stage the way everything is going in the UFC, why not. Probably Ferguson (if Khabib ducked Jose) and then McGregor II. Aldo to be the only man to get knocked out by the same man in 2 different weight class title fights? The interim title, if used properly, could be even better than the unfortunate “Number 1 contender” spot for the fighters, at least you have some guarantee you’ll get a title shot if you’re parading around with a belt.
What is it Conor says? “Losers focus on winners”
I’m fairly sure hundreds of people said that before Conor.
Yes. People have said words before.
Yea Brian, and people said “I’ll be back” before The Terminator did. Just because others have said a term doesn’t mean someone else can’t utter the phrase.
@Brian: Unfortunately Brian, Conor just tells it better. Because everyone can see it happening.
Well David the point wasn’t that nobody else can utter the phrase, the point was it wasn’t Conor who coined it. It was also recently made famous by LeBron James so if anything it’s his before Conors. I know the first comment went over your heard do I expect this one too.
*head
Aldo is now chasing Conor to save face. I never respected him when he was champ as he backed out of too many fights when the opponent was willing & ready. Many got beaten by a replacement never to be heard of again it’s how Pettis got to where is now… http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/jose-aldo-a-history-of-pulling-out-of-title-fights. Conor should let him waste away after how he has gone on. Spoilt little runt
Think Holloway beat Aldo, and McGregor for that matter. Most improved fighter in the UFC, savage he is.
@Colin Foley: I disagree, I reckon Aldo would have his number. Holloway has looked great against the lower tier but Edgar, Mendes, Aldo and McGregor are at a different level to the fellas he’s beaten. Pettis is a decent enough win but the tough weight cut could’ve had a big impact on Pettis’ performance.
@DL: The lower tier??? Delusional!!! Holloway has basically cleared out that division bar Conor. Holloway would light Aldo up. His striking is on another level to Aldo
Mendes still the best on the ground for me and a match for anyone, would love to see a rematch between a properly prepped Mendes and McGregor
@Breandán Ó hEidhin: Yes, the lower tier. Edgar, Mendes, McGregor and Aldo are the elite of the division and he hasn’t beaten any of them. You’re the delusional one if you think Holloway’s striking is on another level to Aldo’s. Aldo has brilliant jiu jitsu and yet we never see it because of how good his striking is.
Simon basically they’re gunning for a huge Aldo v McGregor fight next year for both belts. Simples.
Such a farcical organisation. How did it make sense to give Also the belt without him having to fight somebody for it? Making it up as they go along