We can read, just above the chest of the Molly Malone statue, “Don’t do TY” (thank you). The tradition consists of touching the chest of the heroine of the famous song which accompanies Irish rugby players – Cockles and Mussels – for good luck. For several weeks, this emblematic statue of the Irish capital has been the subject of graffiti denouncing this now “inappropriate” tradition. These, along with the Ireland-South Africa match (Saturday, 9 p.m.), are the two major subjects that excite the streets of Dublin.
We can bet that if Jonathan Sexton takes his team to the world title, he could benefit, like Molly Malone, from a statue, as the Irish are convinced that their playing master is one of the keys to their success in the competition. Starting by dominating South Africa at the Stade de France.
The opener on the fifteenth of Clubs is “a talisman”, as Jack Crowley, who will be the substitute opener tomorrow, called him. No hard feelings for the Munster opener, who, at 23, only has 7 caps. At almost the same age (24), Romain Ntamack is 37.
But Sexton had his first selection in November 2009. Since then, being a fly-half in Ireland has been a bit like being a wine merchant in Saudi Arabia: there are few prospects. Thus, the Leinster fly-half became the best scorer in the history of the Irish team against Tonga last Saturday. With 1,090 points scored, he broke Ronan O’Gara’s record (1,083). The La Rochelle coach sent him a text message at the end of the match to congratulate him, while noting that his competitor had not known, like him, a young Jonathan who “bite his butt”. Because, at 38, Sexton remains, according to the La Rochelle coach in his column in the Irish Examiner, “the best fly-half in Ireland, by far”.
Moreover, it was while facing the “ROG” team in the Champions Cup final (27-26, May 20) that Sexton burst a pipe and insulted the referee of the match. He apologized, admitted his fault and admitted the sanction. All his teachers at Saint Mary’s College in Dublin must have rolled their eyes as his attitude was so far removed from the education he received in this elite establishment and which gave many players to the Irish team rugby, but also judges of the supreme court and a president of the Republic.
This social distinction explains for some the arrogant image that he can project. Seeing him regularly at press conferences, this is not the attitude he offers. But above all, with the remarkable results of the fifteen of Clover in recent months, he has taken all the green people behind him.
The head and legs of his team
He is indeed, first of all, a fantastic technician in his position. Since 2020, he has had an 82% success rate at the foot. But above all he is the brains of the Irish offensive animation. He conducts Ireland’s playing as Herbert von Karajan once did the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He delivers passes at the right time with a perfect reading of the situation. But it is fundamental in the Irish game. Sexton’s mission is to detect the element of fragility in the opposing defense and to send his colleagues there. He makes 43% more passes in a match than Romain Ntamack. We saw how efficient the Irish attack was with 20 tries scored.
Jonathan Sexton and James Lowe. (A. Mounic/The Team)
Of course, the two previous opponents (Romania and Tonga) have absolutely nothing to do with the one that arrives. So far, Johnny has been little used in defense and he has played economically, walking, like Lionel Messi, dishing out caviars to his partners, or, when the game required it, going crash your attempt (3 in total). Between an injury and his suspension, he hadn’t played in six months. The pubs of Cork and Dublin are reassured: he has lost none of his rugby. It remains to be seen whether he has regained the rhythm of the very high level. Tomorrow’s evening promises to be tougher. “I will really know on Saturday if I am in good shape,” he agreed.
Above all, we hope that he took advantage of all this time to work on the core because the 15 green twingos opposite will target him, he who is also the record holder for concussions. But when Sexton coughs, it’s Ireland that catches a cold. Especially since beyond his tactical role, he is also captain. “He’s an incredible leader,” explains second-row James Ryan. Perfectionist, an inspiration for young players. » Johnny will leave his jersey at the Irish rugby hotel at the end of this World Cup. Will he then join Molly Malone in Suffolk Street?
