Jonny Sexton upsurge giving Leinster cause for cheer
And for Joe Schmidt, too.
The out-half admitted earlier this month that it has been difficult to leave behind a World Cup that promised so much and yet ended with injury for him and an earlier than anticipated exit for the team.
His form since had reflected that. Sexton featured for 67 minutes against Ulster at the RDS four days ago, during which time he executed some superb passing moves and played with some of his trademark intent and desire. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a considerable step up.
“I thought he played really well,” said Gordon Dempsey who is assistant coach to Leo Cullen at Leinster. “He says himself there were two kicks which he wasn’t pleased with. Outside of that, you look at his double effort in defence, he had some fantastic cover efforts.
“Ulster half-breached us at one stage, but he ended up getting a turnover from holding up the Ulster player. Some of his trademark plays and some of his running lines and his passing were excellent. He’s bubbling away. He’s getting back into it. He’s enjoying it. He’s improving week-on-week.”
Even better news for Leinster is that Sexton is supposedly hale and hearty having been replaced in the final quarter last week due to a stiff back caused by a meaty tackle and there was more room for optimism from a lengthy medical update yesterday. Scrum-half Luke McGrath was an even earlier departure against Ulster and, though he has strained knee medial ligaments, he is expected to be fit for Sunday week’s Champions Cup date against Toulon in Stade Felix Mayol.
Glasgow this weekend will come too soon for him, though Rob Kearney (hamstring) and Richardt Strauss (concussion) should both be available for the trip to Scotland. Noel Reid, meanwhile, suffered ankle ligament damage though no broken bones last Friday. He is awaiting further scans, which means the only really concerning news right now is that regarding Sean O’Brien. The flanker is rated doubtful for the weekend as he has twice failed to clear return-to-play protocols since suffering a concussion against Wasps earlier this month.
Leinster need every fit and able body they can muster as they will lie exactly halfway through a gruelling 16-week/16-game schedule once they see to their duties in Glasgow with Toulon (twice), Munster and Connacht taking them through to the New Year. Imposing, or energising?
“It’s going to be a challenge,” admitted Dempsey. “All the coaches and the players are looking forward to it. We know there are big challenges ahead. We’re looking at Glasgow. It’s the same as it was last week. It’s fourth (in the Guinness PRO12) versus fifth. They’re reigning champions. We know that going over there we’ve got to be very accurate, very clinical. We know we’re not going to get as many opportunities away from home. It’s important that we do take those. The other games, we’ll take them one at time.”
It’s a delicate time for Leinster. That fixture list doesn’t invite experimentation and yet there is no denying that some of the younger squad members are making cases for inclusion .
Among those out of contract at Leinster this summer is Eoin Reddan whose place has been threatened by poor form and the strides made by Luke McGrath before his recent injury. Reddan is 35 now, though he insists the bigger picture doesn’t affect the day-to-day.
“I like to just get on with what I’m doing each week,” he explained. “I’ve been going to college since I’m 22 for when I’m finished. It’s not that I turn around one day, and say ‘my God, I’m finishing in three years, I need to do something’. I’ve always been playing rugby with, I suppose, an open mind in terms of possibilities outside the game. There’s no real change for me. Just continue on with my day-to-day as well as I can, and put the team first.”
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