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Johnny Sexton is still only getting better, and there's no end in sight | Brian O'Driscoll

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is streets ahead of everyone else, and shows no signs of slowing down, according to Brian O'Driscoll.
Stephen Kisbey-Green
Stephen Kisbey-Green

20.13 13 Oct 2022


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Johnny Sexton is still only ge...

Johnny Sexton is still only getting better, and there's no end in sight | Brian O'Driscoll

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Stephen Kisbey-Green
Stephen Kisbey-Green

20.13 13 Oct 2022


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Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is streets ahead of everyone else, and shows no signs of slowing down, according to Brian O'Driscoll.

Leinster were visited by a high-flying Sharks team in the RDS on Saturday. It was a high-scoring and thrilling affair, with Sexton leading the charge for the victorious hosts.

While some supporters, most of whom seem to reside in South Africa, were upset with Sexton's discussions with referee Craig Evans, Brian O'Driscoll was focused on his superb performance as captain.

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Leinster scored eight tries to the Sharks' five, and Sexton had a hand in almost all of them, scoring one himself. He also attacked the line brilliantly, and opened up space for his backline to exploit.

Speaking on Off The Ball, Brian O'Driscoll waxed lyrical once again about his friend and former teammate.

"The mind boggles at times," O'Driscoll said. "He just sees it so well. People will give out to me for waxing lyrical about him again, but I don't care!

"He's just one of the best at picking that pass at the line, leaving it late and taking the shot and throwing the pass. We've seen it multiple times.

"So many other 10s, particularly of his age, play a little bit deeper, play a little bit of self-preservation. Not him. He's right on the line.

"He's now finding a happy medium. He does encourage the hits, but at least he throws the pass, he doesn't accelerate into them, so it's taking some of the impact away.

"He does feel as though he's getting better."

Sexton's unparalleled vision

Sexton's vision for a gap, and ability to push the pass that will exploit said gap is legendary. However, O'Driscoll thinks that it is nearly unmatched by anyone he's ever come across.

"I think he's at the very high end," O'Driscoll said. "I think Sexton, and this isn't just bias, I do think he sees it as well as anyone I've come across.

"He mightn't be the same athlete as some of the other 10s, he might not have the same wheels, but his ability to actually see and read play is nearly unparalleled by anyone I've come across.

"I've never played with Dan Carter, I've watched him and he's a special player that was able to do some magical things, but he also had phenomenal platforms.

"I don't think there's too many others that have the ability to take it as aggressively and pick one of three options like he has.

"I've wanted to see it in other people, coming through in Ireland and the other provinces, but they're not even close."

Leinster face Connacht at the Sportsground on Friday night. However, Sexton has not been named in the matchday 23, with Ross Byrne starting at 10.

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BOD BOD Munster Ben Healy Brian O'Driscoll Brian O'driscoll Highlights Bulls Bundee Aki Connacht Emerging Ireland Harry Byrne Ireland Rugby Ireland Rugby Captain Ireland Rugby Highlights James Hume Joey Carbery Johnny Sexton Leinster Rugby Lions Munster Munster Quality Munster Rugby Off The Ball Otb Otb Sports Otbam Peter O'Mahony Rugby Analysis Sexton Sharks Stormers Stuart McCloskey Ireland Stuart Mccloskey URC Rugby Highlights Ulster

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