Andy Farrell has allayed any issues that Johnny Sexton may leave out Ireland’s pivotal fit towards France in Dublin subsequent weekend. Ireland’s captain was once nursing a lifeless leg after a collision with Liam Williams, for which the Wales full-back was once proven a yellow card, however the damage isn’t severe.
Williams went to the sin-bin for making touch with Sexton’s head. When the latter gained remedy after the collision, the referee insisted he go away for a head damage evaluation. Sexton protested that he was once being handled for a leg damage. He in consequence handed the HIA.
Sexton was once enjoying for the primary time since New Year’s Day, when he sustained a cheekbone damage that required surgical treatment. The 37-year-old gave the impression to go back comfortably, scoring 12 issues towards Wales with 5 kicks from 5. Farrell hailed his persona and rejected any advice he could be getting too outdated for all this.
“There are no doubts about his age in our mind,” he stated. “I spoke to him constantly over the last two weeks. I told him there’s no excuses. He said he’d never been so nervous before a game. How he handles that and runs the team, making it feel right, and then goes out and performs at the same time is testament to his character.”
There will be no room for doubts in Dublin next weekend. Ireland have lost their past three matches against France, who rushed off to an early lead in Paris last year. “Not being ourselves was the main thing,” Farrell said. “We didn’t attack the game how we can in the first 15, 20 minutes. We got ourselves back into the game and had a chance of winning. So being ourselves from the start would help.”
Ireland showed themselves how in Cardiff. They burst into a 14–0 lead in the first 10 minutes with tries from Caelan Doris and James Ryan, before James Lowe intercepted on his own 22 to score a third at the end of the first quarter. Ireland led 27-3 at the break.
Some sort of response from Wales was inevitable. They replied with a slick try from Williams a few minutes into the second half but never looked likely to threaten Ireland’s lead. When Williams was in the sin-bin, Ireland raised their game again to score a bonus-point try through Josh van der Flier in the last 10 minutes.
They are looking regal at the top of the world rankings, but Farrell is braced for the arrival of France. “I think everyone realizes what’s coming next week, but there’s one thing about an Irish crowd. When there’s a big game and they know they have to get behind the team, they are the best in the world. There’s no doubt about that.”
The easiest crowd on the planet cheering on the most productive crew. The level is ready.