I’m a big fan of Sexton. I think he’s a great all-round player who kicks at a consistently high level for Leinster.
I’m also a big fan of O’Gara whose record for Ireland and Munster is unquestionable.
It’s hard to be definitive about who should start for Ireland at number 10 but on balance I’d go for Sexton. The main reason for that is despite his superior kicking ability O’Gara can’t tackle and so leaves Ireland open to attack down the 10 channel when he’s playing. Sexton is streets ahead of him in the tackling and ball carrying department, offering a running threat off the ruck when Ireland have ball going forward. When O’Gara is playing opposing teams can defend closer to the line and so limit our ability to attack.
Where O’Gara has the edge is when we are under pressure; his game management is better, or maybe it’s the case that he’s more inclined to (correctly) ignore the game plan when he thinks it isn’t working whereas Sexton lacks the experience to do so.
It is now being suggested that Sexton should start in the centre beside O’Driscoll. I think that’s a daft idea. The obvious replacement for D’Arcy is McFadden. He’s been playing out of his skin for Leinster and he’s also a good kicker of the ball with a good understanding of game management. I’d probably start him ahead of D’Arcy at the moment given D’Arcy’s form.
It’s also a hard call at number 9. Conor Murray is an outstanding young player who has a physicality that Eoin Reddan doesn’t offer but Reddan offers faster delivery and is better under pressure. On balance I’d probably go for Murray.
The one area that I just don’t understand is why Earls is getting in ahead of Trimble on the wing. Earls is off form and Trimble is playing the best rugby of his life. He’s also bigger and stronger and is less inclined to get himself isolated with ball in hand.
I’m also a big fan of O’Gara whose record for Ireland and Munster is unquestionable.
It’s hard to be definitive about who should start for Ireland at number 10 but on balance I’d go for Sexton. The main reason for that is despite his superior kicking ability O’Gara can’t tackle and so leaves Ireland open to attack down the 10 channel when he’s playing. Sexton is streets ahead of him in the tackling and ball carrying department, offering a running threat off the ruck when Ireland have ball going forward. When O’Gara is playing opposing teams can defend closer to the line and so limit our ability to attack.
Where O’Gara has the edge is when we are under pressure; his game management is better, or maybe it’s the case that he’s more inclined to (correctly) ignore the game plan when he thinks it isn’t working whereas Sexton lacks the experience to do so.
It is now being suggested that Sexton should start in the centre beside O’Driscoll. I think that’s a daft idea. The obvious replacement for D’Arcy is McFadden. He’s been playing out of his skin for Leinster and he’s also a good kicker of the ball with a good understanding of game management. I’d probably start him ahead of D’Arcy at the moment given D’Arcy’s form.
It’s also a hard call at number 9. Conor Murray is an outstanding young player who has a physicality that Eoin Reddan doesn’t offer but Reddan offers faster delivery and is better under pressure. On balance I’d probably go for Murray.
The one area that I just don’t understand is why Earls is getting in ahead of Trimble on the wing. Earls is off form and Trimble is playing the best rugby of his life. He’s also bigger and stronger and is less inclined to get himself isolated with ball in hand.
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