O’Driscoll sees great future for Sexton
22-year-old Sexton makes his international debut against Fiji at the RDS on Saturday and the national captain, who wins his 101st international cap at the weekend, is confident the out-half is a star in the making.
O’Driscoll said: “Jonathan is a very talented player who places a big emphasis on work ethic and he puts a lot of thought into his game. He works really hard to get the best out of himself and puts huge intensity into his game, into trying to get it right and trying to improve.
“It has been a big six months for him, coming as he did into the Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster and controlling things as he did. And then he had such a big performance in the final.
“With every game, he is getting better. “I don’t want to put any more (pressure) on him by this but he has a great future in Irish rugby.”
Sexton only learned of his debut shortly before noon yesterday when Declan Kidney announced his matchday selection.
“It was very nice to hear my name read out,” Sexton admitted.
“It is a very proud moment for me and my family.”
It may be his first run for the national side but Sexton will have plenty of familiar faces to keep him company.
“It won’t be as if I’m playing alongside any strangers,” he said, pointing to the composition of a back division that is made up of Leinster players, bar the presence of Munster’s Keith Earls on the left wing.
“It’s good also that I have got the opportunity to play five or six matches with Eoin,” he said, referring to the selection of Eoin Reddan, who signed for Leinster this season from Wasps, at scrum-half.
“Other than him, there are plenty of familiar faces who will be there to help me as well.”
Sexton ranks this elevation as a higher honour than the Heineken Cup medal he won last May.
“It’s something that is a bit more than a team thing, it’s also a personal honour to get picked for Ireland.
“It’s something that I always wanted since I was a kid, it’s right up there (with anything that happened before) and different as well.”
Sexton believes he has become more composed and accepting of life in rugby over the last 12 months and that time spent on the bench last season has made him a better player.
“I wasn’t happy there (in the replacements), but looking back, I learned a lot from just watching, I learned a lot from Felipe (Contepomi); maybe even more than if I had been thrown in there (to play),” he admitted.
Patience paid off for the youngster at the end of last year when he was chosen by Kidney on the Ireland A squad.
“It was a big shout to get in the A team, and it went on from there.
“I’m happy with my form ever since. I pushed on from there.”
Sexton also believes his new approach of taking it one step at a time has reaped dividends, saying: “I figure I was trying too hard at times last year, I’ve relaxed more and I’m more positive in the things I’m trying to do.”
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