Magner's League - Leinster 27 Scarlets 14:THE REVOLVING international door closed on the unfortunate Seán O'Brien (fractured fibia) here but it has surely flung wide open for Jonathan Sexton after another remarkably poised display from the 24-year-old.
It is less than 12 months since Sexton was struggling to make the Leinster bench, still lining out for St Mary’s in the AIL, and seemingly stalled as a professional rugby player. Now he looks certain to be named at outhalf for Ireland tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s defining Six Nations encounter in Twickenham.
The Scarlets were dismissed by his five unwavering penalties and a late try, assisted by a brief cameo from 18-year-old Blackrock speedster Andrew Conway.
Sexton eventually finished with 22 points, the scores coming as opposite number Rhys Priestland faltered but it was in defence that Sexton made the most pertinent statement, even gaining credit for a turnover and clinging admirably to the bulldozing Scarlets centre Jon Davies, who is carved from Scott Gibbs granite.
Michael Cheika has always been cautious when serenading Sexton but that is becoming an increasingly difficult task. “There were some parts of his game he needed to play a bit better with, I thought, but he actually tried to bring a good bit of pace to the game.
“His kicking off the tee was very good. He’s just improving every day. I like the idea that when positioned with a challenge he is coming to meet it; he is not looking to get away from it,” said Cheika.
This last opinion was echoed in the performances of Eoin Reddan and Shane Horgan, who are also pushing hard for inclusion tomorrow. The scrumhalf’s service was clean and his quick penalty tap was the genesis for Isa Nacewa’s try.
Unhindered by an ankle problem until late on, Horgan continued the rich vein of form that has been evident all season.
Others made telling impacts, particularly Fergus McFadden in defence and, just in case Ireland require his services, Girvan Dempsey’s technical solidity at fullback remains undiminished.
O’Brien’s horrible-looking fracture, caused when Scarlets prop Deacon Manu slid down his leg after four minutes (referee Andy MacPearson lacked the good sense to halt play that was moving dangerously near the prone Tullow man), provides, it must be noted, opportunities for team-mates Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin to make the Ireland bench.
Jennings, captain in the absence of Leo Cullen on Saturday, was a nuisance at the breakdown all night, but it was Stephen Keogh’s arrival for O’Brien that made the most impact. Largely a fringe player nowadays under the Cheika regime, Keogh replicated O’Brien’s usual brief with several impressive carries over the gainline.
Despite Leinster’s general dominance and comfortable demeanour, it was the Scarlets who drew first blood with a fantastic try. Priestland kicked ahead for flanker Jonathan Edwards to gather, swat Horgan aside and they sent the ball through five more hands before David Lyons put hooker Ken Owens over in the corner flag.
Davies came down Sexton’s channel soon after but didn’t get much change, with McLaughlin reminding him he was a centre, albeit a big one, and not a flanker.
The Leinster response was Nacewas’ well-worked try just before the half-hour mark, with Sexton nailing the touchline conversion before good defensive work by McFadden and Dempsey presented another three-pointer for the outhalf. Priestland rediscovered his range after Malcolm O’Kelly and CJ van der Linde collapsed a rolling Scarlets maul to leave it 13-11 at the break.
The Leinster pack eventually moved through the gears, buoyed by Sexton’s six from seven return and a complete lack of fear, showcased by a drop goal attempt from his own half that fell short.
Three more Sexton penalties to one from Priestland made it 22-14 but Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker will have nightmares about what happened with eight minutes remaining. Shaun Berne stalled over a clearance kick, allowing McCusker to block down, only to fumble possession with the try line at his mercy.
Conway arrived to a smiling welcome from an exiting Horgan. The young pretender, with socks rolled down and clearly unperturbed by the surroundings, made an immediate impression in both attack and defence. First, he accelerated around opposing winger Andy Fenby before offloading for Sexton’s try that denied the Scarlets any hint of a losing bonus point. Then he made a terrific recovery tackle that saw Fenby knock on inches from the line.
SCORING SEQUENCE:13 mins: J Sexton pen, 3-0; 17: R Priestland pen, 3-3; 19: K Owens try, 3-8; 30: I Nacewa try, 8-8; J Sexton conv, 10-8; 34: J Sexton pen, 13-8; R Priestland pen, 13-11; 43: R Priestland pen, 13-14; 48: J Sexton pen, 16-14; 57: J Sexton pen, 19-14; 68: J Sexton pen, 22-14; 79: J Sexton try, 27-14.
LEINSTER:G Dempsey; S Horgan, F McFadden, S Berne, I Nacewa; J Sexton, E Reddan; S Wright, B Jackman, CJ van der Linde; M OKelly, D Toner; K McLaughlin, S Jennings (capt), S OBrien. Replacements:M Ross for CJ van der Linde (blood sub, 3-11 mins), S Keogh for S O'Brien (6 mins), M Ross for CJ van der Linde, R Strauss for B Jackman (both 63 mins), CJ van der Linde for S Wright (73 mins), A Conway for S Horgan (77 mins), E O'Malley for S Berne (79 mins).
SCARLETS:D Newton; D Evans, R King, J Davies, A Fenby; R Priestland, M Roberts; I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu; D Day, D Welch; R McCusker, J Edwards, D Lyons (capt). Replacements:J Turnbull for J Edwards (48 mins), P John for I Thomas, E Philips for K Owens, R Thomas for D Manu (all 63 mins), G Maule for R King (77 mins).
Referee:A MacPherson (Scotland).
