Sexto's coming home

First topic message reminder :

http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/sexton-to-return-to-leinster-with-fouryear-contract-30533595.html

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:That is amazing, I stand corrected. I love the way he takes responsibilities for defence and skills coach and in the next paragraph explains the damage the big 40 point loss to montpellier caused.

ROG was a very good player, but his weaknesses were his defencive ability and his skill set, he also self proclaimed how inexperienced a couch he was, and how difficult it has been to learn on the job.

Why do pro clubs still do this, employ former players who have spent no time whatsoever crafting a coaching trade and throw them into pro clubs?

Racing have spent a fortune on world class players and are still pretty unsuccesfull in every comp they play in, this kind of thinking may attribute to that.

What are you talking about? Racing beat Montpellier (away) last week

ROG went to Racing as a kicking coach - he is working his way up (fairly fast). He obviously is a good pupil.

In the article he talks about recent responsibilities of learning to coach, and defence work, then goes on to explain conceding 44 to montpellier all but ended Racings season.

It didn't end it though because Racing made the playoffs (losing to Toulon).

I thought the articles direction was funny thats all, ROG becomes defence coach concedes 44.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Neutralee wrote:I'm going to go out on a limb and mention Nick De Luca, I was in a few CPD courses in Edinburgh recently where he was 'guest' but was also learning. He spent most of his time explaining how he loves defence and prefers bowling players over than scoring tries. His knowledge of any sort of system was poor, and he didn't have an innovative bone in his body. It seemed like he was being fast tracked for pro coaching, if he does I feel for Scottish rugby.

You will not be alone in that sentiment!

NDL is a talented player, but he really struggled with the pressure of international rugby, and was capable of doing the daftest things on the pitch.

Then again, Toonie did utterly daft (and brilliant) things in a Scotland jersey and I didn't think he'd be able to translate that into a coaching role either, and he is currently doing a good job carrying on Sean Lineen's fine work at Glasgow.

Actually when you look at that canterbury site, it looks like the entire coaching staff of Glasgow Warriors has been over there.

Neutralee wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:That is amazing, I stand corrected. I love the way he takes responsibilities for defence and skills coach and in the next paragraph explains the damage the big 40 point loss to montpellier caused.

ROG was a very good player, but his weaknesses were his defencive ability and his skill set, he also self proclaimed how inexperienced a couch he was, and how difficult it has been to learn on the job.

Why do pro clubs still do this, employ former players who have spent no time whatsoever crafting a coaching trade and throw them into pro clubs?

Racing have spent a fortune on world class players and are still pretty unsuccesfull in every comp they play in, this kind of thinking may attribute to that.

What are you talking about? Racing beat Montpellier (away) last week

ROG went to Racing as a kicking coach - he is working his way up (fairly fast). He obviously is a good pupil.

In the article he talks about recent responsibilities of learning to coach, and defence work, then goes on to explain conceding 44 to montpellier all but ended Racings season.

It didn't end it though because Racing made the playoffs (losing to Toulon).

I thought the articles direction was funny thats all, ROG becomes defence coach concedes 44.

Well he did explain the French attitude to defence!

Neutralee wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Neutralee wrote:That is amazing, I stand corrected. I love the way he takes responsibilities for defence and skills coach and in the next paragraph explains the damage the big 40 point loss to montpellier caused.

ROG was a very good player, but his weaknesses were his defencive ability and his skill set, he also self proclaimed how inexperienced a couch he was, and how difficult it has been to learn on the job.

Why do pro clubs still do this, employ former players who have spent no time whatsoever crafting a coaching trade and throw them into pro clubs?

Racing have spent a fortune on world class players and are still pretty unsuccesfull in every comp they play in, this kind of thinking may attribute to that.

My guess is that we'll see this less and less as the years move on but right now the players that are retiring are the first set of players to have ever had an entire career as a professional rugby player.I think this does give them an insight that some older coaches can't replicate,like everything else it is a risk and will work well with some people and not so well with others.

I quite like the idea of coach academies starting, I've heard of a few players In Wales and England who are not quite international standard, and don't have the pressure and constraints that come with that starting to coach as a view to post retirement careers. A few being in their early 20's still.

Someone makes a good point that just because ROG couldn't tackle didn't mean he couldn't organise a defencive system, but there is so much more to defence than deciding on rush or drift. It begins ball in hand, it effects every phacet of play that ROG could just not understand from 10 alone.

That's an interesting idea,in Ireland we don't have anything like that but some of the players coach at club level while playing,Bernard Jackman was Clontarf coach when he played with us and Séan O'Brien coaches Tullow.Those are two that spring to mind but I'm sure there are more.

Jackman was pretty good too, worked as a RDO at UDC while getting his masters. Worked with him a bit, very knowledgable guy, commands respect, now at Grenoble isn't he?

Jackman is now head coach at Grenoble. Funny thing was he was never rated as an amateur coach with Clontarf or Michaels (school).

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Neutralee wrote:That is amazing, I stand corrected. I love the way he takes responsibilities for defence and skills coach and in the next paragraph explains the damage the big 40 point loss to montpellier caused.

ROG was a very good player, but his weaknesses were his defencive ability and his skill set, he also self proclaimed how inexperienced a couch he was, and how difficult it has been to learn on the job.

Why do pro clubs still do this, employ former players who have spent no time whatsoever crafting a coaching trade and throw them into pro clubs?

Racing have spent a fortune on world class players and are still pretty unsuccesfull in every comp they play in, this kind of thinking may attribute to that.

What are you talking about? Racing beat Montpellier (away) last week

ROG went to Racing as a kicking coach - he is working his way up (fairly fast). He obviously is a good pupil.

In the article he talks about recent responsibilities of learning to coach, and defence work, then goes on to explain conceding 44 to montpellier all but ended Racings season.

It didn't end it though because Racing made the playoffs (losing to Toulon).

I thought the articles direction was funny thats all, ROG becomes defence coach concedes 44.

Well he did explain the French attitude to defence!

Especially away from home.

Apologies I think it's my fault the thread has gone off topic,

I'll let you guys get back to it, nice to have some debate though instead of just people getting their backs up and insulting me lol

Neutralee wrote: nice to have some debate though instead of just people getting their backs up and insulting me lol

Because lets face it, it's all about you.

O'Brien back from injury. Sexton back next year. Good stuff.

It hated having to let him go. May have cost us a win against the All Blacks. But the IRFU have shown they'll only go so far in terms of wages and won't match the French clubs. And Sexton's experience in Paris was not exactly a glorious one, and he's coming straight back, which may influence other players deciding whether to go for the big French money. Does anyone think the plodding, attritional Top 14 would have done anything to improve his game? I doubt it. Nothing like the pace and fluidity of the way Leinster played with him. Anyone who watches the Top 14 may enlighten me on that. Maybe he learned a lot.

4 years is too long, but probably required since it was what the French were offering him.

Feckless Rogue wrote:O'Brien back from injury. Sexton back next year. Good stuff.

It hated having to let him go. May have cost us a win against the All Blacks. But the IRFU have shown they'll only go so far in terms of wages and won't match the French clubs. And Sexton's experience in Paris was not exactly a glorious one, and he's coming straight back, which may influence other players deciding whether to go for the big French money. Does anyone think the plodding, attritional Top 14 would have done anything to improve his game? I doubt it. Nothing like the pace and fluidity of the way Leinster played with him. Anyone who watches the Top 14 may enlighten me on that. Maybe he learned a lot.

4 years is too long, but probably required since it was what the French were offering him.

Seriously, how? He missed a kick (which he has done plenty of times before when playing in Ireland) thats all.

Didn't he have a hamstring problem? He played a large number of games in France before that match, and hamstring problems can be caused by being overplayed. I said "may have".

It's what I like to tell myself every time I think of that game anyway.

He did have a bit of an injury, he should have been subbed and it obviously affected his confidence with that last kick. But there's nothing to say he wouldn't have picked it up in Ireland either.

I remember an interview with Sexton moaning about having to speak French and not knowing where the petrol station was.
Pretty obvious it was never going to last with that attitude.
Anyways i will enjoy seeing his little petulant face back in the pro12 he really does cheer me up when i see his little face on the losing side.

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember an interview with Sexton moaning about having to speak French and not knowing where the petrol station was.
Pretty obvious it was never going to last with that attitude.
Anyways i will enjoy seeing his little petulant face back in the pro12 he really does cheer me up when i see his little face on the losing side.

Fair dinkum. He didn't lose much in his first Pro12 stint and still grumped his way through it all ...so let's hope for your sake he has a change of mind in his second stint and decides he'll only frown and sulk when he's losing this time. I'd always like to keep petulant begrudgers - who like observing petulant losers - happy....

Racing has an eye on DC post worldcup. They need someone famous and "bankable" to promote their new arena come 2016.
As for the calendar, the only reason the final is mid june is because there is no summer SH tour

whocares wrote:Racing has an eye on DC post worldcup. They need someone famous and "bankable" to promote their new arena come 2016.
As for the calendar, the only reason the final is mid june is because there is no summer SH tour

Hi whocares. You may have noticed the Irish here don't love the French model of teams full of foreign players and like the home-grown approach. Would there be any desire in fans of teams like Racing to see a French outhalf in their team instead of a Sexton or Carter? I know it's probably not even realistic for an ambitious team to try a home grown player when your rivals will just buy Carter. But I was wondering are French club fans disgruntled at all with all the imports denying French youngsters a chance. Especially since French players had proven to be among Europe's best, before the huge increase in imports anyway.

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember an interview with Sexton moaning about having to speak French and not knowing where the petrol station was.
Pretty obvious it was never going to last with that attitude.
Anyways i will enjoy seeing his little petulant face back in the pro12 he really does cheer me up when i see his little face on the losing side.

Fair play to Sexton - they have a different word for everything over there.

This move is living proof that (a) UK/Ireland players in French clubs are flogged to death and (b) you cannot get a decent pint of Guinness overseas.

Feckless Rogue wrote:

whocares wrote:Racing has an eye on DC post worldcup. They need someone famous and "bankable" to promote their new arena come 2016.
As for the calendar, the only reason the final is mid june is because there is no summer SH tour

Hi whocares. You may have noticed the Irish here don't love the French model of teams full of foreign players and like the home-grown approach. Would there be any desire in fans of teams like Racing to see a French outhalf in their team instead of a Sexton or Carter? I know it's probably not even realistic for an ambitious team to try a home grown player when your rivals will just buy Carter. But I was wondering are French club fans disgruntled at all with all the imports denying French youngsters a chance. Especially since French players had proven to be among Europe's best, before the huge increase in imports anyway.

Hi FecklessRogue. Obviously any home fan would be proud to see one of their born and bred player making it to the highest level. Lots of club fans have digs at Toulon "hollywood" approach but their clubs are doing the same just hiring lesser known foreigners.
Even owners would favor a local player of similar ability as their media value is eventually higher (see Chabal).
However the reality is :
- French players are not that good. I dont think we had a flyhalf nearly as good as Sexton since the game went pro
- there is 26 fully professional clubs. They all have their academies and local catching area but that's not enough to maintain a decent 40 men squad. Realisticly clubs like Clermont with top academies usually see max 2/3 youngsters getting promoted to the 1st team per year.
- the gap between age group rugby (U20 etc) and T14 is increasing. The way youngsters are coached is frankly poor and not in line with modern rugby. The level of "ball in hand" skills amongst forwards is appalling when compared to young kiwis and boks. Outhalves get some kicking coaching way too late, the list goes on...there is also a lack of competitive games for those youngsters to improve. Blame the FFR for that. After 21 it's too late for most of them so they usually go to a proD2 club to get some game time. When a young player is good enough to make it, he might get nicked by another team who wont have a problem offering him a bigger contract.

Whocares

I was discussing that the other day, the French have a lot of talent, but have this huge chasm opened up between U20 rugby and playing pro rugby, whereas other nations U20's are generally playing pro rugby too.

Why is it we are not seeing more Fench (and I'm thinking specifically backs) players take contracts in England, Wales, IReland or Scotland? There must be players who show some flare and potential who could be 'repurposed'! So why do we not see many Frnech players in other leagues given the opportunity to get past the likes of Habana, mitchell, Halfpenny, Wolf is pretty much nil!

Are young ~French players just not up to standard, or are they just deincentivised by whats in front of them and give up?

Neutralee wrote:Whocares

I was discussing that the other day, the French have a lot of talent, but have this huge chasm opened up between U20 rugby and playing pro rugby, whereas other nations U20's are generally playing pro rugby too.

Why is it we are not seeing more Fench (and I'm thinking specifically backs) players take contracts in England, Wales, IReland or Scotland? There must be players who show some flare and potential who could be 'repurposed'! So why do we not see many Frnech players in other leagues given the opportunity to get past the likes of Habana, mitchell, Halfpenny, Wolf is pretty much nil!

Are young ~French players just not up to standard, or are they just deincentivised by whats in front of them and give up?

The French... for yay, it is an age old truth.............. detest talking in anybody else's language.  That's why they don't travel well.  They refuse to listen to the pilots telling them where they've landed in English and therefore are always confused about who exactly they are playing and where.

PS...that's why the French teams try not to hire them.  They want to be able to play away so choose non-French players.

Neutralee wrote:Whocares

I was discussing that the other day, the French have a lot of talent, but have this huge chasm opened up between U20 rugby and playing pro rugby, whereas other nations U20's are generally playing pro rugby too.

Why is it we are not seeing more Fench (and I'm thinking specifically backs) players take contracts in England, Wales, IReland or Scotland? There must be players who show some flare and potential who could be 'repurposed'! So why do we not see many Frnech players in other leagues given the opportunity to get past the likes of Habana, mitchell, Halfpenny, Wolf is pretty much nil!

Are young ~French players just not up to standard, or are they just deincentivised by whats in front of them and give up?

I guess its down to money. In the early pro years, a few french internationals used to play in England. Good backs will also be valued in France as they fall into their jiff quota. Average ones will be dumped as there is always a cheaper fidjian option. My main concern is on specialist positions (FH, TH) as those take time to develop properly and pro clubs dont have time for that...

whocares wrote:

Neutralee wrote:Whocares

I was discussing that the other day, the French have a lot of talent, but have this huge chasm opened up between U20 rugby and playing pro rugby, whereas other nations U20's are generally playing pro rugby too.

Why is it we are not seeing more Fench (and I'm thinking specifically backs) players take contracts in England, Wales, IReland or Scotland? There must be players who show some flare and potential who could be 'repurposed'! So why do we not see many Frnech players in other leagues given the opportunity to get past the likes of Habana, mitchell, Halfpenny, Wolf is pretty much nil!

Are young ~French players just not up to standard, or are they just deincentivised by whats in front of them and give up?

I guess its down to money. In the early pro years, a few french internationals used to play in England. Good backs will also be valued in France as they fall into their jiff quota. Average ones will be dumped as there is always a cheaper fidjian option. My main concern is on specialist positions (FH, TH) as those take time to develop properly and pro clubs dont have time for that...

But these half decent backs, who are dumped, surely there is a small market for them to go? Italy is screaming out for some natural talent to make projects of (Tommy Allen), as are some of the Celtic unions. Even prem clubs aren't adverse to taking a bit of a risk on the odd potential.

I'd be interested to see the convertion rate of French U18/20's to pro players!

With regards to specialist positions, that could become a huge issue, if it already isn't, TH's, Hookers, and half backs take ages to perfect, if there is always a cheaper, rounded 28yr old SH player option whats to stop the national team falling apart?

For TH, is Pro D2 not a great place for them to learn their trade. Far more emphasis on technique at scrum.

FH is definitely the issue. Even if clubs do have the JS or JW at the flyhalf position, the reserve player should be a french kid learning the craft from the master. It is a travesty that Toulon didn't put a kid shadowing JW all that time to learn from him. Instead they don't think of developing their own replacements, they just look out in the market to buy a new marquee name.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:For TH, is Pro D2 not a great place for them to learn their trade. Far more emphasis on technique at scrum.

FH is definitely the issue.  Even if clubs do have the JS or JW at the flyhalf position, the reserve player should be a french kid learning the craft from the master.  It is a travesty that Toulon didn't put a kid shadowing JW all that time to learn from him.  Instead they don't think of developing their own replacements, they just look out in the market to buy a new marquee name.

Good point on the prod2, few props spent a few years there before making it to top teams ( thinking about menini last year and bougherara this season both in Toulon)

Great news - thought he was going really well at Racing and would finish his career there but its a big boost for Irish rugby that he decided to come back - the boom years are here again - time to get the chinos out!

Confirmed - Jonny's back in blue next season. Only hope that Lorenzetti doesn't run him into the ground for the rest of the Top 14

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/jonny-sexton-ireland-leinster-1654534-Sep2014/?utm_source=twitter_self

brennomac wrote:Confirmed - Jonny's back in blue next season.  Only hope that Lorenzetti doesn't run him into the ground for the rest of the Top 14

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/jonny-sexton-ireland-leinster-1654534-Sep2014/?utm_source=twitter_self

He will. "I'll get my investment out of you before you mope yourself back to Ireland, you homesick basteraud!"

Actually, Sexton's return so soon after going will have quite a few ripples.

First ripple is the obvious one already mentioned in the media.  His return might induce other players who were thinking of heading off too to at least rethink it all.  Some still might go, and good luck to them on a personal level if they do - but at least he's put more questions in their heads about his reasons for returning, despite the apparent Big inducements to stay in France.

Second ripple is that other players will be able to lay the Sexton episode on the negotiating table with the IRFU.  "You think I'm asking too much now to stay?  Maybe you'll end up paying more if I actually do go and you want me back. You called Sexton's bluff, don't call mine"

Third ripple is the reaction of Top14 sides.  They'll be ultra cautious about Irish players from here on in.  Not many players walk away from the lure of big money in France but that's what one of Ireland's most bankable stars did.  French coaches have already noted how stubbornly homebirdish Irish players are.  I'm certain Racing felt that Sexton would stay much longer and always be attracted by ever bigger pay packets.  But this departure will sting and I'm sure many Top14 sides will now think twice about offering big money to Irish players who might cut loose much sooner than the big money was initially offered to discourage.

Great news for Leinster and Ireland. Is Gopperths contract up this year. Longer term I don't think it's great news for a madigans chances of the Irish 10 jersey but his utility value and ability to play well at 12 especially will still see him in green IMO.

George Carlin wrote:

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember an interview with Sexton moaning about having to speak French and not knowing where the petrol station was.
Pretty obvious it was never going to last with that attitude.
Anyways i will enjoy seeing his little petulant face back in the pro12 he really does cheer me up when i see his little face on the losing side.

Fair play to Sexton - they have a different word for everything over there.

This move is living proof that (a) UK/Ireland players in French clubs are flogged to death and (b) you cannot get a decent pint of Guinness overseas.

Ian Rush - I couldnt settle in Italy, it was like living in a foreign country....


Oh yay the thicknecked one is back....delighted.....no seriously.

SecretFly wrote:
Second ripple is that other players will be able to lay the Sexton episode on the negotiating table with the IRFU.  "You think I'm asking too much now to stay?  Maybe you'll end up paying more if I actually do go and you want me back. You called Sexton's bluff, don't call mine"

That was a win-win for the IRFU. It worked out fine for the IRFU when he was in France. They saved themselves about 500K when he was over in France. Sexton wanted to come back to Leinster (or his wife wanted to be near the family) - the IRFU would have known this.

One thing worth noting - Mrs O'Gara is some woman - signing on for 3 years in Paris with 5 kids under 6 (or so!) including a new baby. Who ever would have thought that it would be the Cork boy who would settle so well away from home!

Sin é wrote:

SecretFly wrote:
Second ripple is that other players will be able to lay the Sexton episode on the negotiating table with the IRFU.  "You think I'm asking too much now to stay?  Maybe you'll end up paying more if I actually do go and you want me back. You called Sexton's bluff, don't call mine"

That was a win-win for the IRFU. It worked out fine for the IRFU when he was in France. They saved themselves about 500K when he was over in France. Sexton wanted to come back to Leinster (or his wife wanted to be near the family) - the IRFU would have known this.

One thing worth noting - Mrs O'Gara is some woman - signing on for 3 years in Paris with 5 kids under 6 (or so!) including a new baby. Who ever would have thought that it would be the Cork boy who would settle so well away from home!

the "Cork boy" has different goals and stick to them... he's not in Paris for the money first , he's there to see how another club operates and fully embrace the experience of living abroad, simply enjoying the fact that his kids are now almost fluent in french (even without the accent). being more mature, his mindset is different than Sexton's who joined racing for the money and promises of competitive rugby. Jonny was a bit wasted in Racing 10 men rugby so one of the two conditions was not there plus he was homesick so going back to Ireland is best for all parties I feel.

O'Gara doesn't have to do test rugby either. Hard as it is for Mrs Sexton and family to settle, having Mr Sexton go away on Ireland training camps and tours for as much as a month or six/seven weeks at a time must make everything harder on the home front. As opposed to back home when the family is surrounded by friends and family when Jonny is away with Ireland.

Interestingly, back on the rugby side of things, Jonnys main reason for returning is missing training camps for Ireland

Jonny Sexton wrote:"For me it's not possible [to have an international career abroad while playing club rugby in France]. Not in my position.

"As a fly-half, I need to be there for every camp to learn all the tactics. I need to be involved, and that's difficult when playing in France. There are a young players coming through, and the competition is very real. I was also afraid of losing my place in the national team."

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9456944,00.html

I think Joe Schmidt played an absolute blinder with Sexton last autumn. He came in for the first test match against Samoa, Schmidt publicly said he was overplayed in the early stages of the Top14, looked flat and would be dropped. Not even in the 23 for that game.

But if Sexton was in Ireland, a smart coach may not have played him then anyway because he would still be looking for his understudy... Schmidt planted a wee seed of doubt there and now a lot of top players will think twice before leaving.

Brilliant.

Even though Rog is retired, Sin can't resist a bit of Rog-Sexto Mickey measuring.

It has even extended to the perceived mental toughness of their wives now.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:It has even extended to the perceived mental toughness of their wives now.

Notch wrote:O'Gara doesn't have to do test rugby either. Hard as it is for Mrs Sexton and family to settle, having Mr Sexton go away on Ireland training camps and tours for as much as a month or six/seven weeks at a time must make everything harder on the home front. As opposed to back home when the family is surrounded by friends and family when Jonny is away with Ireland.

Interestingly, back on the rugby side of things, Jonnys main reason for returning is missing training camps for Ireland

Jonny Sexton wrote:"For me it's not possible [to have an international career abroad while playing club rugby in France]. Not in my position.

"As a fly-half, I need to be there for every camp to learn all the tactics. I need to be involved, and that's difficult when playing in France. There are a young players coming through, and the competition is very real. I was also afraid of losing my place in the national team."

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9456944,00.html

I think Joe Schmidt played an absolute blinder with Sexton last autumn. He came in for the first test match against Samoa, Schmidt publicly said he was overplayed in the early stages of the Top14, looked flat and would be dropped. Not even in the 23 for that game.

But if Sexton was in Ireland, a smart coach may not have played him then anyway because he would still be looking for his understudy... Schmidt planted a wee seed of doubt there and now a lot of top players will think twice before leaving.

Brilliant.

You think Mrs Sexton was sitting at home on her own in a house in a Paris during the AIs and 6Ns? Sexton had the option of not going to Argentina, but he insisted on going. ROG was over and back to Paris doing punditry and Mrs O'Gara would have had to look after their kids and since ROG has said that he is hoping to be involved with Ireland this season, ROG will also be away from home for an extended length of time.

My point is this though - Sexton said that he and his wife found it difficult not having family around with a young baby - Mrs O'Gara has five of them and seems to be thriving over there because they have signed on for a few more years. ROG did say before they went that if the family were not happy in Paris, they would be home like a shot.

I'd say Sexton is very confident that Joe Schmidt isn't going to drop him anytime soon as he did have extra release time written into his contract and no doubt ROG in his corner when it came up to negotiations with the coaching staff. It was fairly obvious from the start he wasn't happy there - I seem to remember him moaning about not knowing where to go and buy petrol in one interview. The IRFU had to very little to get him back home.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Even though Rog is retired, Sin can't resist a bit of Rog-Sexto Mickey measuring.

It has even extended to the perceived mental toughness of their wives now.

Not mental toughness. Adaptability.

Sin é wrote:Sexton had the option of not going to Argentina, but he insisted on going.  ROG was over and back to Paris doing punditry and Mrs O'Gara would have had to look after their kids and since ROG has said that he is hoping to be involved with Ireland this season, ROG will also be away from home for an extended length of time.

My point is this though - Sexton said that he and his wife found it difficult not having family around with a young baby - Mrs O'Gara has five of them and seems to be thriving over there because they have signed on for a few more years. ROG did say before they went that if the family were not happy in Paris, they would be home like a shot.

I don't even...

Sin. If a Munster player was possessed by the devil and took over the world enslaving us all to a life of torture and unspeakable horror, and the whole Leinster team rallied round and saved the planet.

You would come up with a line about Munster people being well able to handle unspeakable horror (Fair enough on that ) and how Leinster players only saved the world to look good on twitter or something.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Sin. If a Munster player was possessed by the devil and took over the world enslaving us all to a life of torture and unspeakable horror, and the whole Leinster team rallied round and saved the planet.

You would come up with a line about Munster people being well able to handle unspeakable horror (Fair enough on that ) and how Leinster players only saved the world to look good on twitter or something.

Come off it. ROG and his family did exactly the same thing as Sexton did (same club, same city, different language, etc). Most people would compare and contrast how it turned out for each of them.

I also think how lucky Sexton & his family is when you compare his & his wife's situation to all those people who had to leave Ireland with very few chances of seeing their family regularly again recently.

That's the other thing you do. Bang on about these things when everyone else has lost interest.

I am not arguing on the relative "mental toughness/adaptabillity" of the wives, tbh I don't really care as long as they make Rog and Sexto happy.

I am just pointing out your habit of picking out the smallest and sometimes the strangest things to "prove" how much better Munster players are than the rest of the planet......

And you are not even from Cork?

I must say I find your preciousness rather amusing.

Anyway, I'm off ... bigger fish to fry this weekend.

''We're Back again to stop the 10'' - Up Tipp.

Bewildered at what could possibly be construed as precious

Is it that you think I actually DO give a fock whether Mrs Sexton is not as tough as Mrs Ogara?

Not in the least bit precious, just amused at some of the things you choose to highlight in your quest.

Anyway. UP TIPP but for less negative reasons than stopping anyone else.

Notch wrote:

Sin é wrote:Sexton had the option of not going to Argentina, but he insisted on going.  ROG was over and back to Paris doing punditry and Mrs O'Gara would have had to look after their kids and since ROG has said that he is hoping to be involved with Ireland this season, ROG will also be away from home for an extended length of time.

My point is this though - Sexton said that he and his wife found it difficult not having family around with a young baby - Mrs O'Gara has five of them and seems to be thriving over there because they have signed on for a few more years. ROG did say before they went that if the family were not happy in Paris, they would be home like a shot.

I don't even...

It's like he can't understand how petty this makes him look,nobody cares or is debating the point yet he'll still keep going on about it as it's another (imaginary) point in Munsters favour.

Sin é wrote:I must say I find your preciousness rather amusing.

Anyway, I'm off ... bigger fish to fry this weekend.

''We're Back again to stop the 10'' - Up Tipp.

Enjoy the game...i hope you get stuffed...