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Sexton declares himself fit while O'Mahony critiques an Ireland back row minus Doris
By PA
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has declared himself fit to play in Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales. Leinster fly-half Sexton arrived in the Irish camp nursing a hamstring problem but he is on course to lead his country in Cardiff.
“I trained fully today [Wednesday] with the group and thankfully I got through that OK, so all available for selection,” said Sexton following concerns for Ireland over an injury sustained playing for Leinster at Munster on January 23.
Meanwhile, Peter O’Mahony says Ireland must swiftly forget about the loss of the exceptional Caelan Doris and focus on executing a seamless back row reshuffle. Doris was tipped to shine in this year’s tournament but he prematurely left the Irish camp after suffering with concussion symptoms.
The enforced absence of the 22-year-old, who was arguably his country’s standout performer in the Autumn Nations Cup, presents a major dilemma for head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Sunday’s tournament opener away to Wales.
Munster flanker O’Mahony is expected to occupy one of the three loose forward spots in Cardiff and believes there is sufficient desire within the squad to overcome a significant blow to the plans laid for the forwards by new assistant Paul O'Connell.
“It’s not tough. You’ve six or seven back-rowers here who are fighting for three spots,” the 31-year-old said of Doris being sidelined. “The big thing about it is, you don’t want to see one of your men go down, and Caelan has been one of the outstanding Irish players in the last probably 18 months, two years.
“He’s been exceptional and he certainly will be a big loss, but there are guys who are hungry and we demand that when someone goes down there’s someone there and it’s as seamless as possible.
“And that’s the way it has to be in international rugby, you can’t be waiting for people. Everyone in the group was gutted to see him go home but, at the same time, there are guys there who are chomping at the bit to get a go, myself included.”
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Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
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