6N Preview: Ireland v Wales
Jonathan Sexton gets another chance in Dublin on Sunday to finally become the undisputed first choice Irish flyhalf when he starts against Wales in their Six Nations opener.
However, the 26-year-old Leinster star is painfully aware that despite being eight years younger than his main rival for the post he has been unable to consign the evergreen and irrepressible Munster legend Ronan O’Gara to the sidelines for good.
It is not for want of trying but Sexton – like O’Gara a two-time European Cup winner – realises that having entered last year’s World Cup the number one he exited it once again in the shadow of US-born O’Gara.
Sexton, whose man-of-the-match performance in last year’s European Cup final where he scored 28 points including two tries to engineer an astonishing comeback against Northampton, admits he has once again a lot to prove in Sunday’s match.
He is hoping that a stellar performance from him will help the hosts avenge a 22-10 World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of a superior Wales side.
“I place-kicked poorly in a couple of games at the World Cup. That can happen to any place kicker,” said Sexton, scorer of 161 points in his 24 tests.
“Unfortunately it happened to me on the world stage in the two biggest games of my career.
“I beat myself up at the time. Even against Australia (in the pool match which the Irish won 15-6) I nailed one straight after half-time. Then there was another good kick which hit the post.
“Who knows what might have happened had that gone over? I could have kept kicking until the end and we would never have been talking about this.
“But those are the small margins,” added Sexton, who was replaced as starting flyhalf by O’Gara for the quarter-final against Wales.
Sexton, whose uncle Wille Sexton also played for Ireland, admits that his rivalry with O’Gara, provides good fodder for debate round the country but for him it is mainly about setting that aside and focusing on playing well on the pitch.
“There are points to prove and there’ll be a little bit of motivation there but it won’t be everything,” said Sexton, who has this season shone for Leinster.
“I wish my place was guaranteed. Obviously with Ireland, there’s a little bit more looking over your shoulder with Ronan on the bench. It’s something you have to get used to, knowing somebody is ready to come on if things aren’t going your way.”
Sexton, though, readily admits that the situation is not one that he enjoys and indeed may be the reason why he has never seemed to be as at ease in the green shirt compared to the Leinster one.
“It’s probably something I’ve struggled with a little bit,” said Sexton, who made his debut against Fiji in November 2009.
“But you learn a lot with setbacks. Hopefully I’ll not be as bogged down about it. I can play my game and try and do the best for the team.”
And with the Irish focus on the flyhalf position, Wales assistant coach Rob Howley believes his side’s strength-in-depth in the kicking department could be crucial during the upcoming Six Nations.
Wales are looking to build on an impressive World Cup campaign that saw them reach the semifinal stages for the first time in 24 years.
Flyhalf Rhys Priestland was eventually cleared on Friday to play in the encounter.
Even if he did not make, or should he be injured sown the road, Howley knows there are plenty of other options when it comes to kicking for goal.
Fellow flyhalves James Hook and Stephen Jones have an abundance of international experience with the boot, while back three star Leigh Halfpenny has been making a name for himself from the tee this term.
Halfpenny has kicked ahead of Scotland’s metronomic striker Dan Parks at the Blues in recent months and is fast developing into far more than just a long-distance goal kicker.
With regular action breeding consistency in Halfpenny’s kicking game, and with Hook experiencing a similar scenario in Perpignan, Howley is delighted with the choices Wales will have when it comes to slotting the ball between the sticks.
“You need to have choice and strength in depth in your goal-kicking, short distance and long distance. Kicking decides international games,” said Howley.
“It’s good to have Hooky, Steve Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Priestland in the squad. That’s the strength in depth and options that we have, long or short.
“It’s fair to say Leigh’s long-distance kicking has been exceptional.
“It’s a different pressure, kicking from 50 or 60 metres, as kicking from closer is a far greater test of character, skill and mindset, but it’s great to see that Leigh has set the standard.
“He’s certainly kept the Blues in a couple of regional games and Heineken Cup games since coming back from the World Cup.
“We talked to Leigh post-Rugby World Cup and it’s been shown in regional rugby this year that if you have one or two goal-kickers you might win games.
“Kicking was an area everyone has highlighted since the World Cup and it’s going to be important in the Six Nations – it always is.”
Players to watch:
For Ireland: By his own admission flyhalf Jonathan Sexton has placed himself in the spotlight, but there are plenty of questions about the midfield pairing of Fergus McFadden and Gordon D’Arcy – in the absence of veteran Brian O’Driscoll and Keith Earls (who withdrew on Friday). The loose trio of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris are sure to provide plenty of entertainment as well.
For Wales: With Priestland cleared, he will be expected to get his dangerous backline going – where Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts could cut the opposition to ribbons. It is also good to see ‘Hair Bear’ Adam Jones starting. That will give the Welsh scrum some stability.
Head to head: There will be some interesting contests all over the park, but none more intriguing than the flyhalf showdown – where Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) will be keen to show up Rhys Priestland. Fergus McFadden and Gordon D’Arcy (Ireland) will be tested by the very formidable Welsh midfield duo of Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts.
Recent results:
2011: Wales won 22-10, Wellington (World Cup quarterfinal)
2011: Wales won 19-13, Cardiff
2010: Ireland won 27-12, Dublin
2009: Ireland won 17-15, Cardiff
2008: Wales won 16-12, Dublin
2007: Ireland won 19-9, Cardiff
2006: Ireland won 31-5, Dublin
2005: Wales won 32-20, Cardiff
2004: Ireland won 36-15, Dublin
2003: Ireland won 35-12, Dublin
Prediction: There is seldom much to choose between these two countries, but Wales are a team on the rise. Even in Dublin you have to fancy the World Cup semifinalists. Wales to edge Ireland by about 10 points.
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O’Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Tom Court, 17 Sean Cronin, 18 Peter O’Mahony, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Dave Kearney.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Michael Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Andy Powell, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Date: Sunday, September 5
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy and cool, with some sunny spells. High of 8°C and a low of 7°C.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), Stuart Terheege (England)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)
AFP & rugby365.com
