Andy Farrell has allayed any issues that Johnny Sexton would possibly miss Ireland’s pivotal match in opposition to France in Dublin subsequent weekend. Ireland’s captain was nursing a lifeless leg after a collision with Liam Williams, for which the Wales full-back was proven a yellow card, however the harm will not be severe.
Williams went to the sin-bin for making contact with Sexton’s head. When the latter obtained therapy after the collision, the referee insisted he depart for a head harm evaluation. Sexton protested that he was being handled for a leg harm. He consequently handed the HIA.
Sexton was enjoying for the primary time since New Year’s Day, when he sustained a cheekbone harm that required surgical procedure. The 37-year-old appeared to return with ease, scoring 12 factors in opposition to Wales with 5 kicks from 5. Farrell hailed his character and rejected any suggestion he would possibly be getting too previous 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 subsequent weekend. Ireland have misplaced their previous three matches in opposition to France, who rushed off to an early lead in Paris final 12 months. “Not being ourselves was the main thing,” Farrell stated. “We didn’t attack the game how we can do 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 confirmed themselves how in Cardiff. They burst right into a 14-0 lead within the first 10 minutes with tries from Caelan Doris and James Ryan, earlier than James Lowe intercepted on his personal 22 to rating a 3rd on the finish of the primary quarter. Ireland led 27-3 on the break.
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Some type of response from Wales was inevitable. They replied with a slick strive from Williams a couple of minutes into the second half however by no means seemed seemingly to threaten Ireland’s lead. When Williams was within the sin-bin, Ireland raised their recreation once more to rating a bonus-point strive by Josh van der Flier within the final 10 minutes.
They are wanting regal on the prime of the world rankings, however Farrell is braced for the arrival of France. “I think everyone realises 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 greatest crowd on the earth cheering on the most effective group. The stage is about.
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