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Sexton chats with Hugo Keenan during the win over Georgia. Craig Mercer/INPHO

Sexton: 'Have we gone backwards? Not compared to 2019'

The Ireland captain insists the current Ireland side has made progress that they have just been unable to reproduce in competitive action.

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.

“We need to try and put it all together on Saturday. We’ve shown bits and pieces, we need to get it all together on Saturday.”
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    Mute Sean Crowe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 6:55 PM

    COYBIB

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    Mute B Collins
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:01 PM

    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.

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    Mute gabs90
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:05 PM

    Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:24 PM

    Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:24 PM

    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.

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:19 PM

    Leinster will win

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    Mute Marty H
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:35 PM

    I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week

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    Mute Lance Write
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:12 PM

    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.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:22 PM

    Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.

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    Mute David Finn
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:44 PM

    @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!

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:57 PM

    @David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:30 PM

    @Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 13th 2020, 9:15 AM

    @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.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:40 PM

    Game on great try

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    Mute Lance Write
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:16 PM

    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.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:24 PM

    Another trophy the invincibles
    Leinster Congratulations

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:03 PM

    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.

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    @Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Sep 12th 2020, 10:42 PM

    @Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.

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    Mute Conor HF
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:14 PM

    Atrocious lineout from Leinster.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Great response.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:10 PM

    Brilliant try.

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    Mute Anthony O Connell
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:45 PM

    Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!

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    Mute Andrew Taz Donohoe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:47 PM

    Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:56 PM

    Here he comes. The Boss.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:52 PM

    Great try …..game over ..joking

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:00 PM

    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?

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    Mute Donogh O'Laighin
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live

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    Mute Nathan Fulham
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:27 PM

    @Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.

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    Mute Michael Hayes
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:55 PM

    SUFTUM

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    Mute Jimmy Cully
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Terrible commentators

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