The French take another run at Sexton.
Being an outhalf is far from easy – one must be conductor, instigator, tactician, motivator, tackler and, if you have it in you, goalkicker.
It is no surprise, then, that many outhalves are often said to have egos. No harm there. You need a bulletproof one if you are going to do what needs must to win a game.
Johnny Sexton himself would admit that he can be a bit grumpy and outspoken, at times, but he has a winners’ mentality. Just ask anyone that was in the Millennium Stadium dressing room, in May 2011, when Sexton talked the talk and then walked it, delivering Leinster their second Heineken Cup.
His time in Paris, with Racing Métro, went reasonably well – two top six finishes – but a caché of reporters found the Irishman aloof and hard to deal with.
To that end, as we reported during the last World Cup, Sexton was likened to PSG and Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Both men, it was claimed, possessed monumental egos.
Sexton was severely unhappy with the reports and this morning’s edition of Midi Olympique may cause a similar reaction.
Focusing on Sexton and Ian Madigan, who is off to Bordeaux-Beglés in the summer, the headline reads: Deux Ego Pour Un Seul Poste [Two egos for one position].
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/696594739689291776
Following Sunday’s 16-16 draw, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he was “very confident” that Sexton would be fit for Saturday’s game against France despite some shoulder discomfort.
He also stated his belief that Madigan would have slotted over that late, equalising penalty.
