Joe Schmidt Reveals Why He Chose Sexton Over Jackson For France Game
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Ireland boss Andy Farrell names his team for Wallabies clash - November 28, 2024
- Munster announce huge coaching update as new frontrunner emerges for top job - November 26, 2024
- Ulster Rugby sign South African beast from Premiership giants - November 26, 2024
Johnny Sexton returns this weekend.
The Leinster star hasn’t played for Ireland since limping off against New Zealand back in November but comes straight into the starting line-up for the crucial Six Nations clash with France this weekend.
Jackson has been one of the star performers in the tournament so far, making the official team of the week for the first two rounds in a row, but Schmidt believes it makes more sense to start Sexton and have Jackson in reserve.
Joe Schmidt on selecting Jonathan Sexton for the match on Saturday #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/mwrKp0aEP4
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 23, 2017
The Ireland boss says it would have been a lot more difficult for Sexton to come in off the bench.
“It’s very hard to come into a side and come off the bench when you haven’t played.”
Schmidt believes starting Sexton has given him that little bit more training time with the team this week, with Jackson already ‘reasonably comfortable,’ so for him it was a no-brainer.
What do you think? Who would you have started?
