Murphy: Sexton will bounce back

JONATHAN SEXTON’S wayward kicking display against the USA last Sunday has been dismissed as a blip by the man who works on that aspect of his game on a weekly basis.

Leinster skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy spoke on the phone yesterday with the Ireland out-half who missed four from six efforts on goal in the pool opener in New Plymouth before being replaced by Ronan O’Gara.

TV stills of his place-kicking were examined in detail after the game with some analysts claiming the Leinster man had altered his style of striking the ball but Murphy was unable to spot any such alterations.