Jonathan Sexton - Leinster Legend & Captain

[mildlyinterested]

Named club captain today, as discussed elsewhere, congrats.

4 time European cups.
3 time Pro12/14's.
1 European challenge cup.
1 Grand Slam.
3 time Six nation champion.
1 Lion series win vs Australia.
1 Lion series tie vs New Zealand.

How long will sexton continue to play?

2018-2019 season: 33
2019-2020 season: 34
2020-2021 season: 35

Wilkinson played until 35
Carter played until 36
O'Gara played until 36.

For the record Ross Byrne will be:

2018-2019 season: 23
2019-2020 season: 24
2020-2021 season: 25

[tomthefan]

Never mind your Ross Byrne, what age will our Joey be?

[riocard911]

Never mind your Ross Byrne, what age will our Joey be?

Jaysus, the season hasn't even started yet......

[Ruckedtobits]

Ciaran Frawley will be 21 next December

[hugonaut]

Named club captain today, as discussed elsewhere, congrats.

4 time European cups.
3 time Pro12/14's.
1 European challenge cup.
1 Grand Slam.
3 time Six nation champion.
1 Lion series win vs Australia.
1 Lion series tie vs New Zealand.

It's a hell of a list.

It's not a title, but he was outhalf in the team that beat the All Blacks as well. I've said it before, that was such a massive achievement in Irish rugby history.

[blockhead]

Never mind your Ross Byrne, what age will our Joey be?

About 10 years older than you.

[neiliog93]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

[sunshiner1]

I honestly think this is a bad choice. While I have all the respect in the world for Sexton but his relationships with ref's leave a lot to be desired. Also he won't be playing a huge amount of games for us and it's hardly like he would be shut down if he wanted to speak in the dressing room. I'm not saying this is a terrible choice it is just not the choice I would have made.

[mildlyinterested]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

think it's more likely he retires at 36, post lions.

[curates_egg]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

He was on the brink of retirement 3-4 years ago. He has been well looked after to get him back where he is but I think you are stretching a bit.

Johnny is such a leader in the group. It was expected he would be named captain.

But you do have to question the logic of picking a captain who will play 3 or 4 league games and be away for extended periods, and who annoys refs.

[mildlyinterested]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

He was on the brink of retirement 3-4 years ago. He has been well looked after to get him back where he is but I think you are stretching a bit.

Johnny is such a leader in the group. It was expected he would be named captain.

But you do have to question the logic of picking a captain who will play 3 or 4 league games and be away for extended periods.

How many league games did Nacewa play last season?

5 before the playoffs.

[curates_egg]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

He was on the brink of retirement 3-4 years ago. He has been well looked after to get him back where he is but I think you are stretching a bit.

Johnny is such a leader in the group. It was expected he would be named captain.

But you do have to question the logic of picking a captain who will play 3 or 4 league games and be away for extended periods.

How many league games did Nacewa play last season?

5 before the playoffs.

How many did he play the season before (when he wasn't injured)? Also, he was always there in training and at the games when the internationals were away, so it's not a great comparison.

I get why they gave it to Johnny: they couldn't give to anyone else without having to explain a lot. It is a huge honour and, I guess, he deserves the honour.
The reality is that he won't be doing much captaining though.
Ruddock is a great choice as vice-captain and I hope he can stay fit.

[tomthefan]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

He was on the brink of retirement 3-4 years ago. He has been well looked after to get him back where he is but I think you are stretching a bit.

Yes that's what I thought at the time too, if he's wise he'll call it a day after the world cup.

[joooooe]

He came through late-ish. He's been well looked after. He's going to be a Tom Brady and retire at 38 after the 2023 RWC.

He'll want to be there to defend the trophy alright.

[mildlyinterested]

mentioned in interviews yesterday that he had 5 years left.

[mildlyinterested]

Sexton calls it like it is

"We've got a good squad this year but it's not as good as it was last year, so what's going to happen if three or four more players leave and get moved to (other) provinces, and suddenly Munster are getting even stronger.

[TrapperChamonix]

Sexton calls it like it is

"We've got a good squad this year but it's not as good as it was last year, so what's going to happen if three or four more players leave and get moved to (other) provinces, and suddenly Munster are getting even stronger.

I get the point about not wanting to loose players to other provinces and he's right to make the point. But are we materially worse off than last year? We have lost Nacewa, Carberry & Jordi. On the plus side we have a raft of very new players who have infinitely more expeeience that this time last year....Byrne, Ryan, Larmour, Deegan, Porter, Byrne x 2, Dooley plus newby in Doris. I'd argue that both McGrath and JGP are better players than this time last year and Lowe doesn't have the defensive system issues hanging over him.

[mildlyinterested]

Sexton calls it like it is

"We've got a good squad this year but it's not as good as it was last year, so what's going to happen if three or four more players leave and get moved to (other) provinces, and suddenly Munster are getting even stronger.

I get the point about not wanting to loose players to other provinces and he's right to make the point. But are we materially worse off than last year? We have lost Nacewa, Carberry & Jordi. On the plus side we have a raft of very new players who have infinitely more expeeience that this time last year....Ryan, Larmour, Deegan, Porter, Byrne x 2, Dooley plus newby in Doris. I'd argue that both McGrath and JGP are better players than this time last year and Lowe doesn't have the defensive system issues hanging over him.

Well Sexton clearly thinks we are weaker and it's hard to argue we aren't, especially at 12.

[TrapperChamonix]

Well Sexton clearly thinks we are weaker and it's hard to argue we aren't, especially at 12.

But thats exactly what I am arguing And lets be clear Sexton is just marking Nuciforas card and hes right to do so.

I get the 12 argument and its clear that there is a big step down from Nacewa to Toomane. But that was going to happen anyway.

[mildlyinterested]

Well Sexton clearly thinks we are weaker and it's hard to argue we aren't, especially at 12.

But thats exactly what I am arguing And lets be clear Sexton is just marking Nuciforas card and hes right to do so.

I get the 12 argument and its clear that there is a big step down from Nacewa to Toomane. But that was going to happen anyway.

Our 3rd choice 10 is either Noel Reid or Ciaran Frawley, much weaker there too IMO.