What makes Ireland’s Johnny Sexton tick

JOHNNY SEXTON was the only northern hemisphere player shortlisted for World Rugby’s Player of the Year award in 2014 and he is now guiding Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam bid – and this video gives an insight into what drives him to achieve such high standards.

The Ireland No 10 is currently being lauded as part of the world’s best half-back pairing, he and Conor Murray at the heart of Joe Schmidt’s game plan. He is a masterful kicker from hand and tee, while many a team has paid the price for underestimating his running game.

This mini documentary charts Sexton’s rise from schoolboy to international star, with insights from Ronan O’Gara, his school coach Richie Hughes and his godfather Billy Keane. O’Gara, his one-time rival for the Ireland No 10 shirt and now among the coaching staff at his club Racing Metro, even asserts that there is more to come from Sexton.

“Johnny is an exceptional out-half,” says O’Gara. “He prepares really well, he doesn’t leave anything to chance on a Saturday. I also think there’s more in the tank, I think we’ll see him in the next two to three years hit a new level.”

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell is also full of praise for his fly-half, saying: “Johnny is the most ridiculous competitor you have ever seen, with an unbelievable work ethic. I know my job pretty well on the field, but Johnny knows where the other 14 players on the pitch should be at any one time. He’s the standard bearer in everything for us at the moment.”

This video is part of Three’s #AllitTakes campaign and a further episodes will follow featuring Paul O’Connell. To watch the Robbie Henshaw video, click here.

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