Team-mates one week, rivals the next
France flanker Bernard Le Roux has some sage advice for Johnny Sexton ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations clash in Dublin.
Le Roux will line up against Racing Métro teammate Sexton at the Aviva Stadium and expects the Irish out-half, who has been out of action since November due to multiple concussions, to come in for some direct attacks. He says:
‘We haven’t spoken during the week. I do enjoy a good hit on a friend every now and then! Maybe he should wear a helmet or two this weekend. He’s a class player, but we’re not playing against him only, they have quality players at number 7, 8, 9, 10, 15… We can’t just focus on him.’
Le Roux dismissed the notion of a French victory setting an important marker ahead of their World Cup clash later this year. He believes that, in Joe Schmidt, Ireland possess a world-class coach but are not unbeatable. He adds:
‘Because we had a good week of training, we have a great squad, and we have beaten Ireland before. It will be an amazing challenge, but I believe we are ready. The atmosphere is always special in Dublin, there are no easy games there.’
Le Roux also had praise for the Irish back row of Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip. ‘I love the fact that they have an outstanding third row,’ he proclaims. ‘I enjoy a good challenge, and if I want to be one of the best flankers in the world, I need to compete with these guys. My role and my goal is to put my team on the front foot, whether it is in attack or in defence.
