Jonny relishes big chance

IRELAND’S new cap Jonathan Sexton seemed impervious to the miserable weather which settled over the RDS on Saturday.

Despite battling wind, rain and perhaps some nerves, the new out half landed 16 points in an exhibition of place kicking exhibition while his general play was also almost without fault.

The new man admitted: “I’m delighted, I was happy enough out there. It was a good win and a good performance.”

Within seconds of the kick off Sexton set off on a mazy 50-yard run after: “A gap opened up and one of them fell off the tackle. That put me straight into the game. It’s always nice to get off to a good start and we took it from there.

“There’s always something to work on. There were one or two loose kicks but I’m just happy that the team went well. That’s the main thing for an out-half. I know there will be times when a few of the kicks don’t go over and it’s important to get a balance there. The key is to enjoy it when they go over and when they don’t, I’ll still be the same kicker and person.”

Skipper Brian O’Driscoll admitted the near disastrous performances by Ireland against Namibia and Georgia in the World Cup ensured that minds were focussed for the mission against Fiji.

“One thing I’ve learned from the 2007 World Cup is that any Test match is just that,” he said.

“You have to grind down any side and give them respect. It took us 65 or 70 minutes to get the better of Fiji and then we ran in a couple of scores to flatter ourselves slightly. You have to do that against all sides whether they are number 1, 10, 25 in the world.”

O’Driscoll didn’t look happy was replaced late in Saturday’s game and admitted: “You never want to come off a pitch because it gives someone else an opportunity to stake a claim in your position. It’s why it’s never easy watching internationals.

“But I realise that there has to be opportunities for Keith Earls to show what he can do in the centre.”