Irish out-half confirms he is on course to return for France game in Six Nations
One of the benefits of having world-class rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll as a guest presenter is his extensive contacts book. BOD picked up the Newstalk blower last night and gave his old mucker Johnny Sexton a bell.
The pair, who suffered their fair share of knocks in Leinster blue and Ireland green, proceeded to have a great conversation, on Off The Ball, about concussion in rugby. Sexton is currently out of action for three months after he was stood down from contact. He sustained three concussive blows in the space of seven months in 2014 and will not return to play until February 14 at the earliest.
‘This is week seven of the 12 weeks I was told to take and I’ve been feeling better every week. I’ve been training better and with less symptoms… already I’m itching to get back involved in the big games, in Europe, with Racing but I know that’s not going to be possible… (The lay-off) feels like a punishment but I know it is for my own good,’ Sexton commented.
The out-half admitted he did fear ‘the nightmare scenario’ of being told he would have to retire to hopes the 12-week break allays that.
O’Driscoll, who was removed from the field for concussion, twice in his final season, revealed he only once (on the 2009 Lions tour) felt post-concussion symptoms in the days following a match. He also spoke about an occasion when, playing for Leinster Schools in Musgrave Park, he took such a hefty blow that he thought he was in Murrayfield. And, following his withdrawal against the All Blacks in 2013, O’Driscoll says he inexplicably was asking people for tomato ketchup in the Irish dressing room.
The BOD/Sexton chat, with co-host Ger Gilroy keeping the lads on-point, begins at the 16-minute mark:
Sexton also paid credit to JJ Hanrahan after the young Munster star opted to move to Northampton Saints for an improved contract and, what he feels is, a greater opportunity to play 10. He said, ‘You have to admire that, well, I do anyway. He has taken on a big challenge and is going over to a very good team with a very good out-half. He’s going to try and displace (Stephen Myler) over there and good luck to him.’
