LIKE THE RUMBLING of welcome cavalry, Jonathan Sexton was declared fit and returned to the captain’s seat today as Ireland head into the year’s final international.
After missing out on most of the November Tests, he is chomping at the bit to taste a December one and guide Andy Farrell’s side to a positive bookend of a troubled campaign.
In Sexton’s absence, Ireland managed to see off Wales and force a win over Georgia either side of another loss to England. All told, Farrell’s side have won five of their eight matches and the skipper is happy to point to such headline figures as he targets a sixth from nine.
“Plenty of Irish teams over the years have lost in Twickenham and Paris,” Sexton hit back when asked if Ireland had regressed since the World Cup.
“England were in a World Cup final, they’re one of the better teams in the world at the minute and we need to get up to that level. Have we gone backwards? Not when you compare it to 2019.
If you go and compare it to 2018, then obviously. We went backwards in 2019, the same team went backwards.”
Rather than going backwards, Sexton feels there has been tangible progress made in certain areas under the new head coach. Albeit progress that has yet to manifest itself clearly on the field.
“I know you guys don’t agree. We feel we’re progressing and we need to show it.
“That’s where the gap in opinion is: we’re making some great learnings, great work in training, some bits in games… we need to put out the 80-ominute performance with the finishing touches.
“We feel – and we can show some video clips if you want – that we’re creating loads of chances and just not finishing.”
Sexton is back fit after coming through a hamstring issue that flared up on goal-kicking duty. The 35-year-old laments that he has felt the issue twice in the space of six weeks, but after returning to kicking practice last week he is confident he will be in good condition to take on Scotland on Saturday.
A much-changed Ireland side on Sunday failed to reintroduce much cause for positivity eight days on from defeat in London. So the task on Saturday for another much-changed XV to answer criticism that is compounding week on week.
Sexton bemoaned the lack of a third first-half try against the Tier 2 side that might have given Ireland a platform to build a more convincing win, but he rules his own point as moot.
“Second half wasn’t good enough. So we can forget about a bit of misfortune in the first half. Second half wasn’t good enough, it’s not our standard and we’re not getting away from that.
“We hope to right that wrong this week.
COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators