Sexton eager to banish RWC blues

Jonny Sexton does not expect the great Irish fly-half debate to stop any time soon but for now, as the incumbent, he is going to enjoy being on the right side of the argument.

It is Declan Kidney’s oft-repeated assertion that Ireland is blessed with two great fly-halves in Sexton and Ronan O’Gara and that each Test match brings a selection dilemma that is no nearer resolution than when the young Leinster No.10 emerged to challenge the senior statesman from Munster.

It has, in fact, intensified as a re-energised O’Gara has enjoyed an age-defying renaissance in both Munster red and Ireland green. Sexton started the first two games of last season’s Six Nations before O’Gara’s stronger kicking game as a replacement steadied an often rocky ship and earned him starts against Scotland and Wales. Back came Sexton for the finale against England and he walked away from the championship with a man of the match display as Ireland produced the team performance of the season.