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Sexton in training last month. Billy Stickland/INPHO

Lions at the back of Sexton's mind as he gears up for Scotland

‘We want to get as many Irish people on that trip as possible.’

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS long gone, the wooden spoon has presumably been avoided, so Ireland’s remaining Six Nations fixtures are just a matter of sorting out the remaining places.

Not just places in the six-team table, but berths in a Lions squad if it is still to go ahead.

Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton has been a Test starter for the quadrennial four-nation tour since 2013. And although he is primarily focused on guiding Ireland to wins over Scotland and England in the tournament’s remaining fixtures, those opponents also carry direct competitors for a Lions number 10 shirt in Finn Russell and Owen Farrell.

“Of course,” Sexton said when asked if the potential for a summer series against the world champions added a little extra spice.

“It’s not at the forefront of our thoughts because even if it wasn’t a Lions year we would still be going out to win the game and to put our best foot forward. But obviously at the back of your mind the next two are very important games in terms of those Lions selections.”

Turning Ireland’s winning tally from one to three over the coming weeks would not only boost Sexton’s case for inclusion, the tide would lift the boats around him.

“It will help the Irish cause if we can pick up a couple of wins. It will help get some more numbers on the plane and that’s ultimately what we want, isn’t it? We want to get as many Irish people on that trip as possible so, yeah, it’s definitely in the back of our minds somewhere.”

Sexton will turn 36 this summer, but has a freshly signed contract extension that will bring him through at least another year with Leinster and Ireland. The 12-month length of the new deal is not cause for him to rally to prove a point, says the 10.  It just allows him to continue to push for honours for the sides he represents.

“I don’t think I’m motivated by contract. I’m motivated by trying to achieve things with these teams. To try and win things.

“I’m very driven to try and finish this campaign on a high and then go back to Leinster, try to have a successful end to the season. Then think about next year when summertime rolls around and you have some time to reflect and see where you are.

“Very short-term focus at the moment.”

That means the gaze is trained on taking down a Scotland team who opened their campaign with a win over England, but have since faltered against Wales and are still waiting to face France.

Ireland go to Murrayfield this Sunday a fortnight on from a confidence-boosting win over Italy that ended a run of three Six Nations losses since they last faced the Azzurri. However, Sexton refutesa suggestion that the performance in Rome was purely down to the lower quality of the opponent. Against Scotland, he will be prepared to win ugly.

“The weather was pretty good,” he said of the high-tempo display in Italy, “there was no wind or rain, it was a dry ball, so that is a big factor in how you play.

“Against Wales we showed some very good stuff with 14 men and it is very hard to do that – I don’t think I’ve ever hit so many rucks in my life as I did in that game. It is all hands on deck…

“Against France (a fixture Sexton missed due to concussion) it is a different game, it is a greasy ball, tough conditions for the guys. It could be tough conditions again this Sunday in Murrayfield by the looks of it.

“It is going to be wet and windy so we might not see that game. It could be back to rolling the sleeves up and that’s okay as well.”

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 10th 2021, 11:40 AM

    Let’s not kid ourselves, there arent too many right now in contention to start. Furlong, Beirne and Henshaw probably the only ones currently.

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Mar 10th 2021, 12:32 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’d say Ryan and Stander will also be in contention to start. Sexton, Murray and Hendo Gats knows from previous tours as well so might give them an advantage in close calls.
    Porter, VDF/Connors, Ringrose, Larmour will all be possibilities. Lowe and Stockdale are big wingers which Gatland seems to be a fan of.
    On the other hand it wouldn’t surprise me if only a couple tour, hard to know which way it’ll go

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Mar 10th 2021, 12:50 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’d say Porter and Ringrose are pretty certain.

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    Mute Connfealin
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    Mar 10th 2021, 12:56 PM

    @Umpaloompa: furlong no where near starting. He’s only had a few games since injury. Bernie stander ringrose probably the only starters maybe earls. Sexton Conway henshaw Murray will get the bench

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:16 PM

    @Connfealin: Depends how Furlong gets on in the next few weeks, at the moment I’d have Porter ahead of him. Wouldn’t bet on Conway or Earls traveling, if he gets back to form Conway would have a great chance but neither are playing great at the moment(same as all Ireland wingers)

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:16 PM

    @Harry Fanning: Over who, Rory Sutherland or Wynn Jones? Cant see it. Ringrose I’d probably agree with you actually. My ideal backline would be (with what I actually think will happen in brackets)
    9. Gareth Davies (Murray)
    10. Finn Russell (Farrell)
    11. Liam Williams
    12. Henshaw
    13. Ringrose
    14. Anthony Watson
    15. Stuart Hogg

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:18 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Think Gatland will definitely have Davis and North in there

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:26 PM

    @Umpaloompa: Davies has been weak and North isnt the same standard at 13 as Ringrose

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    Mute Umpaloompa
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:47 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Yeah agree but still think Gatland will have Davis at 13 and North 14

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:57 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Sutherland and Wyn Jones are Loosheads. Furlong, sinckler and Porter are the 3 best tightheads in the northern hemisphere

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 10th 2021, 2:00 PM

    @Harry Fanning: Thought u were talking about Porter. I’d imagine if he went he would go as a loose. Furlong has tight head nailed on.

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Mar 10th 2021, 2:05 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Yeah there’ll be 3 tightheads in the squad

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    Mute Mike Faherty
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    Mar 10th 2021, 5:09 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Ringrose will be our only test starter. Tualagi (if fit)ahead of Heshaw, Farrell/Russell ahead of Sexton, AWJ ahead of Ryan, Sinkler ahead of Furlong.

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    Mute Peter McCarthy
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    Mar 10th 2021, 11:45 AM

    Think most players starting for their country are in with a shout – Sexton certainly amongst them. He’s not the player he was when he won WPOTY but he’s playing good rugby. Think it will be 3 of Sexton, Farrell, Ford & Russell. I think if it’s a shortened tour (perhaps just the test matches) being played on home soil, then previous experience of playing for the Lions will become a bigger factor as will gel and fit in more quickly. Durability also less of an issue if it’s only three games rather than 3 + all the warm ups.

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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Mar 10th 2021, 2:15 PM

    Furlong is the only absolute certainty to tour imo. Beirne, Henshaw, Ryan and Stander would be very unlucky to miss out but some of them could do. I think Ringrose is 50:50 with an outside chance on Kelleher. Sexton won’t be picked.

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    Mute Ricky Wright
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    Mar 10th 2021, 2:45 PM

    @Cian Nolan: I don’t think Ringrose will go. I’d say his chances are 75 against. He’s a good player, and definitely the best option in Ireland for now. But I really believe we’re missing something there. Ringrose isn’t clutch. He isn’t a game changer or a game winner.

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    Mute David Finn
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:55 PM

    If Tuilagi doesn’t make it, then Aki will likely be selected as the bosh merchant at 12. Ringrose will likely be selected too. Sexton should make it, but Murray not. Up front Porter and Furlong at tight head and Ryan in the second row. That’s about it. 5 maybe 6.

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    Mute kieran
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:30 PM

    @David Finn: Aki won’t be within an asses roar of a lions jersey, not dynamic enough at international level. Henshaw will start, Ringrose & Murray on the bench, they will be the only backs with a chance of test rugby.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:13 PM

    Not too many Irish players in contention to make the squad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Gatland picked Jackson and Cooney. Jackson has been one of the best OHs in the prem this year. Currently in much better form than Sexton, Russell Farrell and Jackson would be a good 3rd choice better than Bigger, Ford and Sexton. For SH no one is really standing out, Cooney is a good as any of the favourites to go.
    Both would be well rested durning the international breaks and would not be fatigued like the others.

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    Mute amusing_musings
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:22 PM

    @Kingshu: as in Paddy Jackson?

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 10th 2021, 5:14 PM

    @amusing_musings: is there another Jackson playing outhalf in the Priemiership, thats causing confusion? Yeah Paddy Jackson, currently the form Irish outhalf.

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    Mute AllyK
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:22 PM

    @kingshu… How can Cooney be possibly in the making? He’s not even making an average Irish team. Sexton’s way past his best, his kicking has always been dodgy. Neither of these can be even a possibility.

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:32 PM

    @AllyK: I think Cooney is certainly a possibility. He’s been the 2nd best scrum half in Europe for the last couple of years, and the options at scrum half are far from exceptional. I think it’s far from impossible that Cooney is in the squad.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 10th 2021, 5:24 PM

    @AllyK: No one knows why Cooney isnt being selected by Ireland, it certainly isnt a decision based on ability. As mentioned above has been one of the best scrumhalves in europe over the last few years, people have shirt memories and forget how good he has been, and was nominated for the 2020 European player of the year, remember, the only scrumhalf on the list. https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/01/27/epcr-european-player-of-the-year-award-2020-nominees-announced/ performances this year have been good as well before you try saying he has dropped in form.
    Its strange how Cooney has a better chance of being picked for the Lions than Ireland, for whatever reason Farrel has to not pick him?

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