Sexton staying cool and focused as Ireland look to make history

Nobody that has followed the ascent of Johnny Sexton, from rookie to one of the premier out-halves in world rugby, will have been surprised to learn that he isn’t running away from Ireland’s dreadful record in France.

Having won just twice in more than 60 years there provides some much-needed context to the challenge facing Joe Schmidt’s side, in light of the over-giddy expectation that Brian O’Driscoll’s international career will end in a Parisian success and a rare Championship.

O’Driscoll famously scored three tries the last time Ireland were victorious in France, in 2000, but Sexton being Sexton, he wasn’t even sure about the year. His focus is elsewhere.

“It just shows how difficult it is to go and win there,” said Sexton of Ireland’s horrendous history on Les Bleus’ home territory. “It means if we go and win, we’ll have earned it. It will be something to remember.

“In many ways, the pressure is off because the expectations are, we’ve won once in 42 years and picked up a draw along the way. We’ve a chance to go and make history now because I think it’ll eclipse what they did in 2000, or whatever year they won, because there’s something on the line.

“If we win, we pick up a trophy. When they won, they’d nothing to play for. So I think this would be an even greater victory — if we can do it.”

It is also unsurprising, given that he garnered so much silverware under Joe Schmidt at Leinster, that Sexton’s trust in the coach is total. And the Kiwi’s hands on the rudder are the primary reason the in-form playmaker gives for thinking Ireland will prevail.

“We’ve got the best coach around. We’re going to go in with a game plan that everyone trusts. We’re full of confidence. We do realise how tough it’s going to be but we’ll take confidence from what happened two years ago, when we got a draw and should have won.

“We don’t get bogged down in ‘we haven’t won there in so long’. We’re focused on how we’re going to beat them with our attacking moves and defence we’ll use on the day. That’s all we’ll be thinking about. The history will be talked about by everyone else and it’s better that way.”

Saturday’s game has been likened to a final and Sexton knows from his experience of Schmidt’s modus operandi that nothing will change for that.

“Sometimes, when you go to finals, you get so worried about the result and you lose track of what got you there in the first place.

“So [preparation] will be very much performance-driven. I know that, from having worked with all the coaches here before, especially with Joe, having played European finals and Rabo finals. It will be very focused on the performance, even though it’s winner takes all.”

Interestingly, Sexton took time out to sympathise with Schmidt’s predecessor, Declan Kidney. Despite the strength and conditioning team under Jason Cowman remaining the same, last season Ireland went from a strong November series and a good start to the Six Nations, to disaster, due to a crippling catalogue of injuries to key players.

As if to confirm that view, manager Mick Kearney announced that Peter O’Mahony would train fully this week after missing the Italy game with a hamstring injury, while Conor Murray had recovered from the stomach bug that forced his premature exit last Saturday.

Cian Healy is “recovering well” from the ankle problem and is expected to train today but Tommy Bowe will not be considered for selection.