Sexton pressure is good for O'Gara

HATS off to Leinster. They displayed remarkable character and composure to hit the ground running from the kick off in their first Heineken Cup final. Notwithstanding the fact that with 13 international players on board, they were not going to be fazed by the familiar surroundings of Murrayfield, the manner in which Michael Cheika’s side dominated the opening quarter suggested a team primed for action.

Their low-key preparations had the desired effect. Cheika and his management team can take a lot of credit. To lose a player of the calibre of Felipe Contepomi on the home straight could have had a disastrous effect on the team. However the time and effort put into Jonathan Sexton over the past few seasons came to fruition when it mattered most. He was a revelation with his calming influence having a galvanising effect on his more experienced colleagues.

One should never underestimate the confidence of youth. Both Sexton and Cian Healy proved that adage on Saturday. Yet nobody could have expected Sexton to dominate this clash to the degree that he did. With Contepomi now departing for Toulon, one hopes the Leinster hierarchy put their faith in the young out-half and resist the temptation to buy in a high-profile replacement for the influential Argentine international.