Ireland head to Murrayfield on Sunday to take on Scotland with a reinforced squad from two weeks ago. Johnny Sexton, Tadgh Furlong, Robbie Henshaw and Gary Ringrose all return from injury in what is a huge boost for the Six Nations Grand Slam-seeking side. Favourites Ireland will be keen to take advantage of the boost and deny Scotland a Triple Crown and chance to win the Tournament.
While this Six Nations campaign has been one of outstanding success for Ireland, one thing remains dauntingly clear: Sexton's career is nearing the end, and there's still no legitimate heir to his throne.
The Irish captain has been at the forefront of Irish rugby for well over a decade now. This tournament alone has seen four different out-halfs called up from Leinster's Ross Byrne and Ciarán Frawley to Munster's Joey Carberry and Jack Crowley, yet not one of them has come close to threatening Sexton. Despite all this it seems an ageing Sexton will go out on nothing but his own terms.
Ahead of all the weekend's Six Nations action and the return of Johnny Sexton, we caught up with Stephen Ferris, who revealed his insights into just how much it means having Sexton back in the squad, and what the future holds for the now 37-year-old Irish captain.
Is this Sexton's Penultimate Six Nations Game?
Speaking ahead of Sunday's game Stephen Ferris was all but sure this was the end of an era for Irish Rugby and for the Six Nations. The Ulster legend was nearly sure that we were nearing the end for his former teammate Sexton.
This is Johnny Sexton's penultimate Six Nations game ever for Ireland.
He's hanging up the boots up after the Rugby World Cup. If he goes through the whole tournament without picking up a nickel who knows he might continue on for another year or whatever it may be but I don't think it will (happen).
Sexton goes into the Scotland game just seven points behind former adversary Ronan O'Gara in the all-time Six Nations scoring list and on track to win another Grand Slam. For Ferris, his addition to the team makes Ireland only a more formidable side capable of beating the Scots.
I think we're going to be very privileged to see a man like Johnny Sexton turn out for Ireland, hopefully twice more in the next few weeks.
Johnny Sexton he'll want to win two from two, he'll be wanting to win a Triple Crown, he'll be wanting to win a Grand Slam, and I wouldn't be betting against that.
4 February 2023; Jonathan Sexton of Ireland, left, and Garry Ringrose during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Sexton on life after Rugby
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's Six Nations game Sexton himself knew he was in a fight against time and spoke about the prospects of coaching Leinster next season in the midst of Stuart Lancaster's departure.
I would never say never but you know never say never becuase you don't know whats lifes going to throw at you. It's not my plan straight away.
If offers did come in I don't think it would be right to go in and coach with lads that I've played with for the last number of years. I wouldn't want to jeporadise this year, because if they find out your going in coaching the relationship changes straight away. No I won't be doing it for the foreseeable future anyway.
After shutting down an immediate future in coaching Sexton said he needs time away from rugby, revealing he's been doing work experience in business. However, an excited Sexton flirted with the idea of a return to rugby with club sides Mary's. While he might have been joking yesterday, could anything surprise you with Sexton anymore? Probably not.
Go and see if I can do something in the business world... but it might not be for me. Get the itch straight away, come out of retirement and play for Mary's.
Watch Johnny Sexton's Press Conference as he looks ahead to Sunday's battle against Scotland at Murrayfield ⬇️#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 9, 2023
Sexton and Ireland travel to Edinburgh for their fourth round Six Nations encounter with Scotland on Sunday at 3 pm.
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