Leo Cullen has quite a dry sense of humour so we initially mistook his comments on Johnny Sexton as a throwaway remark.
Then we listened back to the audio and it dawned on us – he was serious.
The remark followed when Cullen was asked, for the umpteenth time, about Joey Carbery and his best position. “This again?!” Cullen exclaimed.
Leinster are giving the versatile Carbery a run in the 15 jersey as they feel he can do a job there and they are well covered at outhalf. They are well aware of his talents as outhalf but Ross Byrne is proving an able deputy when Sexton is not able to play.
As for Sexton, he’s determined to stick around a long, long time.
“Johnny, of course, wants to play on until he’s 40,” Cullen told us after Leinster defeated Montpellier at the RDS. One week and another victory on – Leinster thumped Glasgow 34-18 at Scotstoun – that prediction does not seem as funny. Certainly not as fantastical.
Sexton is 32 now and a complete and utter general on the pitch. He is so comfortable in his role within the team, and within himself, that he exudes this aura. He is feared by the opposition and, try as they might to rough him up, he usually finds the time and space to wreak havoc.
This afternoon, in Glasgow, Sexton continued his superb start to his 11th season as a senior pro. He contributed 17 points in his side’s bonus point victory and scored an excellent try after teaming up with Scott Fardy for what is commonly known as ‘The Sexton Wraparound’.
https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/921727064763523073
Not much if the lines of running are 👌. No need to reinvent the wheel…
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 21, 2017
As Leinster captain, he made a series of correct calls that were crucial in winning of a vital game.
With injury time looming at the end of a hard-fought first half, Sexton backed his packed when a scrum was awarded. An eight-man shove brought the visitors a penalty close to the Warriors’ 10-metre line. The score was tied at 10-10 so Sexton had a shot to nothing.
Instead, he rewarded his pack for winning the penalty and kicked for an attacking lineout. His forwards repaid the favour as Cian Healy drove over for the second of his two tries. Sexton added a sheen to that with a ropey-looking conversion than made it 17-10.
In the second half, Sexton was pivotal in Leinster getting the win secured first before they pushed for a tryscoring bonus. 24-18 up with just over 10 minutes to play, he read the game and sensed Glasgow needed the wind taken from their sails. He went for the sticks this time and put his side nine points clear.
It meant Glasgow, playing against the wind, had to go for a converted try in the closing stages. It made them easier to manage and manoeuvre.
Sexton always seemed to be two steps ahead of the Scots. He called the plays that wound down the clock and then ones that scythed throw Glasgow as the pressed up and broke their lines in desperation.
At one stage, Cullen told Byrne to get ready to enter the fray. Sexton got word to the sideline – Hold on!
He took part in another passage of defensive play and did not leave until, a couple of minutes later, Leinster had cleared their lines. Content that he had left his side in a strong position, he happily traded places with Byrne.
https://twitter.com/mickeymeha/status/921734219138846721
https://twitter.com/Carol_xox/status/921722179091357697
Some players need a game or two to get back up to speed of play but Sexton and Conor Murray are a couple of men that always seem to hit the ground running. World-class players seem to possess that gift. Not only are they able to cope, they put others under severe pressure and thrive in the battle.
Back in May, ahead of the Lions tour to New Zealand, I suggested to Sexton that he should consider taking six months off, after the tour, to rest up his body.
“I thought I took a sabbatical already,” he responded. “Six weeks [injury rehab] in Santry.
“No. I don’t think I need it. The fact is I started the season late because of dislocating my shoulder at the end of last season, in the [PRO12] final, so my season started late. I missed seven games off the bat.”
This man hates missing out. He hates not being the man Leinster, Ireland and the Lions look to.
Sexton looked me dead in the eye when he made that sabbatical comment. He was not joking.
We should safely assume that Cullen wasn’t either.
A 40-year-old Johnny Sexton crabbing away to teammates, making crucial plays and doing that glorious wraparound in 2025.
If anyone can, Sexton can.
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