I wouldn't play Earls in the centre. Ever.
Sexton at 12 isn't a crazy idea. He has the game for it. Especially since O'Gara probably deserves the 10 jersey at the moment. I just wouldn't choose the World Cup as the occasion to try it out on a permanent basis.
Even when it's Russia and you want to keep O'Driscoll fit for the Italy game ? If not Earls at #13, then who ?
If O’Gara is the best number 10 then he should be picked. If it’s Sexton then he should be picked. Sexton may well have the game for it but there’s other players better suited to it and he shouldn’t keep them out just to keep him happy.
I don’t think O’Gara has done himself any favours throwing his toys out of the pram so often about this. I don’t like the way he subtly (and not so subtly) undermines Sexton in public. He comes across as a would-be Roy Keane with a sense of entitlement bourn of a very high opinion of himself. Basically he’s the opposite of Paul O’Connell on the humility and personality stakes.
None of that matters though; it’s all about who the best guy to have on the pitch on the day is. What annoys me is that the discussion seems to limit the role of the number 10 to kicking penalties.
I agree that O'Gara should be picked. However sometimes it is desirable to have your best players on the pitch especially if we are chasing a game. We used to have Paddy Wallace on the bench to cover out half and centre. We don't need that anymore because Sexton can now fill the centre role if needs be. Frees up a space on the bench for a better player than Wallace. People say is crazy to play O'Brien at 7 and he isn't a natural 7 but I still want him on the pitch even if that means playing him in that position.
Anyway, I couldn't care less who plays where as long as we batter Russia and Italy!
It is now being suggested that Sexton should start in the centre beside O’Driscoll. I think that’s a daft idea.
This thing about O'Gara and his defence is one of those things that seems to have got a life of it's own. Sexton is a better defender because of his strength but you don't have a career at the top level for this long if you are a poor defender. I don't remember too many teams getting much joy down his channel over the years. Seems to mainly come from that lions test in SA when they went through him for the try. People tend to forget that he had taken a huge hit just moments before.
At the start of O’Gara’s career David Humphries was the “other man” but he was a weak tackler as well and O’Gara was a more consistent kicker.
Earls is not an international #13 - I think it's pointless trying him there. I would put Bowe in at #13 against Russia. He would see more ball and do more damage. I definitely think Trimble should be playing the big tests. McFadden deserves a crack at #12.
Sexton over O'Gara every time. O'Gara cant manage 80 minutes defensively but is a great impact sub. And the future is Sexton.
I've heard on the grapevine that Mcfaddden has been suffering with nerves and they are keeping him under wraps.
As for Sexton being the future, surely we judge world cup selection on the present.
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