Johnny Sexton expects the highest of standards, all of the time, and he is not shy about letting his teammates know.
26 minutes into Ireland’s victory over Italy and the hosts were 21-0 up. Sexton was not letting up, though.
Italy, under pressure again, conceded a penalty and the Ireland out-half wanted a quick-tap penalty to keep them there.
Sexton, as he did last week in Paris for that cross-field kick to Keith Earls, looked up and immediately had the play. He wanted Jacob Stockdale to shoot off as he was planning another cross-kick. Italy were walking back, with some of their number not back in position.
The 21-year-old Ireland winger was perhaps content with the break. Ireland had gone full-tilt for the opening 25 minutes and Stockdale would have been forgiven for hanging back and hoping for the forwards to nurse the ball a while.
Stockdale was a few seconds [three, at most] slow in getting up into the line and reading what Sexton was planning. These seconds are crucial at Test level and Sexton let his teammate know all about it.
Picked up on the referee microphone of Romain Poite, Sexton barked at Stockdale:
“Jacob, get up on the f***ing line!”
Stockdale was ready to go but the chance had passed. Sexton shook his head and turned to captain Rory Best to consult on the next best move.
It was a small moment in the game but it sums up what Sexton and this Ireland team are all about. The Leinster man was brought ashore after 56 minutes and though his right ankle and foot were iced and strapped soon after, Joe Schmidt did not flag him as an injury concern.
Stockdale will probably be delighted, then, that he came up with two excellent tries for his side in their 56-19 victory. This Six Nations could yet come down to points difference and every single one counts.
70 minutes into the match, he made a great read and intercept and floored it up the pitch. On this occasion he had another senior teammate screaming at him but he opted to back himself. His confidence was well placed as he beat the covering Italian forward and dotted down for his sixth try in six Tests.
Following the game, Stockdale said:
“To be honest, I didn’t realise Keith was there until the replay. I was knackered and just gunning it as hard as I could to the line. So, no.
“He said he was happy enough for me to take it on anyway because he was knackered as well.”
Stockdale is learning what is expected with each and every game.
He is also learning, no doubt, that no matter what you do, Sexton takes some pleasing.
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