Sexton: we can cope without O’Driscoll

JONATHAN SEXTON insists that Leinster have the strength in depth to deal with the loss of Brian O’Driscoll should the Irish captain fail to recover from his hamstring injury for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens.

The centre suffered the damage during the second-half of last week’s win over Racing Metro 92 although he could still feature at the weekend.

“I don’t think his injury is as bad as first feared. If he’s gone, we’ve got two good replacements in Fergus McFadden and Eoin O’Malley. Whoever he puts in there, we’re confident with the squad we have.

“The two young lads, this could be their breakthrough game. So that’s the way we have to look at it. I suppose everyone gets a break at some point in their career and this could be theirs.”

Sexton is, of course, speaking from experience having kick-started a stuttering career when coming on as a replacement for Felipe Contepomi who retired hurt early on in the 2009 European semi-final against Munster at Croke Park.

The 25-year-old has since demonstrated a liking for the big stage and they don’t come much bigger than the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

“It’s important we go out and try to make a good memory of it and have some fond memories of going there.”

Leinster could hardly be approaching the fixture in better spirits as their campaign’s initial teething problems have been washed away by two encouraging wins against Munster and Racing, the latter yielding a bonus point in a group where they are likely to be at a premium.

“It was brilliant to get the bonus point and to stop them getting one as well. If you get four and they get zero it’s the same as getting five and one. It could be key come the end.

“You take one game at a time and this week is going to be one of our toughest in the pool. Saracens looked quite good at the weekend even though they got nothing out of the game.”

It remains to be seen whether Brendan Venter starts with Andy Goode or Derick Hougaard at 10 but there is no such equivocation over that particular position at Leinster when Sexton is fully fit as he is now after his recent quad injury. His return has coincided with Leinster’ rediscovering their form even though lingering concerns over his quad meant that the place-kicking duties have been left in the care of Nacewa the last two weekends.

That will change in London.

“I was kicking at the end of last week in training. Joe just said to be sensible with it and the most important thing for me at the moment is that I’m getting time on the pitch. The last thing we need to be doing is keep this an ongoing thing. We need to get it 100% so that once I start kicking again that it’s not a problem.”