Nov 22,2024
Andy Farrell insists Johnny Sexton's presence in the Ireland camp isn’t casting a shadow over the next crop of out-halves.
The former Ireland captain hung up his boots after a stellar 14-year career in green following last year’s World Cup but returned to the set-up before the start of the Autumn Nations Series.
Initially brought in as a kicking consultant and advisor for Jack Crowley, Ciarán Frawley and Sam Prendergast, his role has evolved but he still has no official title.
Sexton had a huge presence when playing, often described as a coach on the field and it had been suggested that the younger players might benefit from not having a figure like the former Leinster number 10 looming large as they cut their teeth at international level.
Farrell, whose side take on Fiji tomorrow, says that’s not the case.
"I know, I’ve heard that said by a few," said Farrell, who had indicated last week that he was becoming tired of questions about Sexton’s involvement in the camp.
"That couldn’t be any further from the truth. Honestly, these guys love sharing their thoughts and even more importantly, Johnny sharing his thoughts on them.
"All that he’s trying to do, and they 100% know this, that he’s there to help them and they appreciate that."
However much Farrell and the rest of the management would like to keep Sexton’s involvement in the background, he was never going to be able to operate under the radar.
Now a commercial manager for recyclable metal and glass packaging company, Sexton had previously said he would shun offers to coach players he used to play alongside.
But the lure proved too strong.
In total, Farrell fielded five questions yesterday about the 2018 World Rugby player of the year, all legitimate queries considering the IRFU has never issued an official statement on his role.
"Ah, it's defined at the minute," replied Farrell (above), who has picked Prendergast and Frawley in his matchday squad, when asked about Sexton's specific brief.
"How I went about my start as a coach, it was open enough because things then are allowed to grow organically but as far as roles and coming in and finding his feet, obviously place-kicking is one.
"He's taken hold of the high-ball stuff and the mentoring of players that you would expect him to mentor and advise and being around the whole group, being another voice within the squad or another brain within...sharing ideas, etc.
So, I've seen a big improvement because you know Johnny, he wouldn't want to come in all screaming and, 'look at me, I'm here’, etc.
"He's come in softly at the start and he's certainly building through it now and we see a lot of improvement in the areas that he's coaching at the minute.
"He hasn't been [involved on matchdays], no.
"It could [change] down the line. At the minute, again, it's when he can fit it in around his schedule as well, but the consultancy part now is working really well.
"[He is in] just for this campaign and obviously we'll keep on talking but all the signs are good."
Meanwhile, Farrell expects Mick Byrne's Fiji to deliver their best performance of the series at Aviva Stadium tomorrow.
The Pacific Nations Cup winners lost heavily to Scotland but recorded wins over Wales and Spain.
Last year they beat England and Australia and reached the World Cup quarter-finals and on Wednesday, scrum-half Frank Lomani didn’t shy away from predicting an upset in Dublin.
In a world of ‘just looking forward to the challenge’ soundbites, Lomani’s declaration that Fiji, ranked nine in the world, viewed the Six Nations champions as "vulnerable" was welcomed by Farrell.
"You think the lads don’t read it but they do. They might tell you that they don’t but they do, 100% they do. It’s great. It’s what you want.
"You want to play against sides that are confident and who think that it’s an opportunity for themselves because we have to rise to that.
"Listening to their scrum-half yesterday, they expect that as well, which is great, you know.
"Why wouldn’t you? They’ve proved over the last couple of years their consistency of performance because of their players playing in big games, not just internationally but all around the world now.
Andy Farrell has named a youthful side for Saturday's Test against Fiji, with Sam Prendergast at 10 and first starts for Jamie Osborne, and debutants Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy #IREvFIJ #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/zLAA4O9hF5
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 21, 2024
"You look at the [Super Rugby side] Drua, you look at who’s involved in France, who’s involved in the UK, they’re all playing top-level rugby and playing bloody well in that regard so you would expect that to transfer.
"When you’ve got good coaching staff that’s bringing them together, the consistency and expectation should be where it is.
"That all accumulates to them believing in the performance they’re looking forward to out here on Saturday."
