While even Johnny Sexton's presence on the pitch was at times contentious, his new book Obsessed looks set to clear up the abundance of controversies the former Irish out-half found himself embroiled in.
From his post-world Cup argument with Rieko Ioane to splitting Leo Cullen open, the last seven days have seen its fair share of revelations made - and the book hasn't even been released yet.
Unsurprisingly, when the time came for Sexton's tell-all on his former teammates, it was his well-documented tensions with Ronan O'Gara that topped the list. However, more surprisingly, Sexton also took umbrage with how former Irish captains Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell criticised him after an incident in the 2020 Six Nations.
8 August 2011; Ireland's Jonathan Sexton, left, Brian O'Driscoll, and Paul O'Connell, right, at the announcement by O2 and the Irish Rugby Football Union that they have renewed their sucessful partnership arrangement, which will see O2 continue as sponsor of the Ireland rugby team until 2016. Ireland Rugby Football Union Announcement, Carton House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Photo by Sportsfile
Johnny Sexton takes aim at O'Driscoll and O'Connell
Speaking about what his future holds in an interview with Paul Kimmage of the Independent, Sexton used his disappointment in former Irish captains Brian O'Driscoll, Keith Wood and Paul O'Connell to explain why a career on the TV screens wouldn't be for him.
Sexton was of course referring to an incident in Ireland's 35-27 loss to France at the 2020 Six Nations, a loss that cost Ireland the Six Nations Championship. Playing just his first season as Irish captain, Sexton was relieved of his duties in 68 minutes into the pivotal clash with France, with Ross Byrne taking his place.
Disappointed to have been taken off, Sexton looked up at the managerial box shaking his head at Andy Farrell, as the Stadium and TV cameras displayed it for the world to see.
While a media frenzy ensued with O'Driscoll taking his place among the many who criticised the Irish captain, an extract from Obsessed reveals the out-half was particularly disappointed in what he coined a 'pile on' by his predecessors.
I had undermined Faz — that was the headline. There was no holding back. Three former high-profile captains jumped on board. Keith Wood, Paulie and Brian all criticised me for showing my displeasure so obviously. I thought they might have supported me, protected me. ‘That’s Johnny.’ ‘He’s fiery.’ ‘He wears his heart on his sleeve.’ ‘Of course he was disappointed.’ But no. It was a pile on.
Speaking to Kimmage about what he meant in the book, Sexton revealed his shock at what the trio of Irish captains had said.
No, because if that was me, my instinct would be to protect: ‘Look, he’s pissed off that he’s been taken off as captain.’ But there was a sense (that I was being petulant) and you would expect that with some sections of the media but not from past players. They know what it’s like to be in the heat of battle, and to get taken out of it, so I was kind of like, ‘Wow!’
Sexton's book is due to hit the shelves next week when undoubtedly more revelations will be made about the abundance of controversial moments Sexton got caught up in, en route to becoming one of the country's greatest-ever rugby players.
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