Former Leinster captain Kevin McLaughlin has said that Johnny Sexton has been the best player in this year’s Six Nations championship.
Sexton kicked off Ireland’s campaign with a match winning drop goal against France in the opening round of the tournament and he has played some stellar rugby since then in Ireland’s home wins over Italy, Wales and Scotland.
The Leinster fly-half has been struggling with back spasms over the last two weeks but he has been named in Ireland’s team to play England on Saturday and McLaughlin feels that he’s the key to Ireland winning a Grand Slam.
“We’ve got to talk about the man of the tournament, in my view, Johnny Sexton,” said McLaughlin on the latest episode of The Hard Yards.
“The key to us winning a Grand Slam is for him to play pretty much every minute but like when is the last time Johnny has played four games in a row for Ireland without getting a knock?
“Johnny has always got a knock. He’s never played a game in his entire career without getting a knock.”
McLaughlin was also impressed by Leinster flanker Dan Leavy who has made a massive impact in the side in the absence of both Sean O’Brien and Josh van der Flier.
McLaughlin said that Leavy reminded him of O’Brien in 2008 when he first started at Leinster and that he plays with a level of fearlessness that is a joy to watch.
“He honestly looks like Sean O’Brien did 10 years ago,” said McLaughlin on the latest episode of The Hard Yards.
“That kind of fearless, goes out there, does his job player that plays with a smile on his face which I like. He always seems to be enjoying himself, never seems to be under pressure and he just goes out and does it.
“What really impressed me about him is his consistency. He never really makes mistakes and he has about four or five big moments a game, consistently, and just seems to be relishing the game.
“He also has a great balance with the other two guys [CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony].
“CJ is carrying like 20-25 times a game, Pete and Dan are carrying a bit but those guys are getting through so much work at the breakdown. It’s great to watch.”
