[ad_1]
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is furious at being left out of the England and Ireland Lions tour of South Africa in 2021 and will face Lions and Wales boss Warren Gatland for the first time since Saturday’s Six Nations opener in Cardiff.
Last updated: 02/02/23 9:16
Johnny Sexton will captain Ireland against Wales on Saturday
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton insists he holds no grudge against Wales head coach Warren Gatland over the ill-fated British and Irish Lions snub.
Fly-half Sexton has been left devastated by being overlooked for the 2021 South Africa tour and will face Lions boss Gatland for the first time since Saturday’s Six Nations opener in Cardiff.
He has certainly responded to that huge disappointment – leading his country to the Triple Crown, a historic series success in New Zealand and the top ranking in the world over the past 12 months.
The 37-year-old, who on Wednesday trained without a face mask for the first time since undergoing cheekbone surgery last month, met Gatland at last week’s Six Nations launch event in London and said there was no ongoing animosity.
“You’re never coming back, that’s why it hurt so much at the time,” the second-time Lions tourist told a press conference at Ireland’s training camp in Portugal.
Sexton was part of Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad in 2017
“But people make decisions and, at the time, they may make what they think are valid reasons.
“I met him at the launch and there was no hostility or anything. I shook his hand and said hello.
“I was really good with him on the previous two tours, so it probably hurt a lot. But this is it. It’s over now, it’s been a long time coming.”
Gatland opted to pick Dan Biggar, Finn Russell and Owen Farrell as his number 10 against the Springboks, before calling on Marcus Smith as cover.
The New Zealander, who returned for a second stint in charge of Wales in December, admitted this week Sexton had “probably” proved him wrong with his subsequent form.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said last week had been a ‘challenge’ after a BBC documentary raised allegations of sexism at the WRU, but insisted the players’ focus was on the Six Nations opener against Ireland.
He also claimed this weekend’s Principality Stadium clash was a “free hit” for the hosts as Ireland were overwhelming favourites, an assessment Sexton rejected outright.
“Maybe that’s what he’s saying, but he certainly didn’t pick a team that would suggest he’s a free hitter because he picked an experienced team,” said Sexton, who is fit and available to start with a facial injury.
“They’ve brought back some parents who will advise them to target this game.
“If they see a free kick, they will pick all the youngsters, hit them and see if they can go to the World Cup.
“We certainly don’t prepare like that. We are preparing for a full Test match at the Principality Stadium which is a very difficult place to win.
[ad_2]
Source link