Mike Catt: Whoever the out-half is, they have got to take control

Catt says that although Johnny Sexton has got his own game to focus on, when he's not around or he's not training, he's still got a huge role to play off the field as well

ATTACK MINDED: Ireland’s attack coach Mike Catt during Ireland training. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

It remains to be seen whether Johnny Sexton will start this Saturday’s series-defining second Test against New Zealand but one thing is now definite, Ireland’s captain is fit and available.

The arguments about Ireland’s over-reliance on their soon-to-be 37-year-old fly-half and leader have only heightened in the wake of his team’s slippery slide from dominant force in last Saturday’s first Test at Eden Park to error-ridden also-rans once he was removed from play for a Head Injury Assessment.