Leinster's start to this season has been pretty stop-start, but last night's return of Johnny Sexton kicked them into gear. Leinster beat the Ospreys 31-19, scoring four tries in the process, but it was all about one man : Sexton.
Johnny Sexton's jersey hangs in the dressing room at the #RDSArena. #LEIvOSP pic.twitter.com/4aB8KtOUgY
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 23, 2016
Following a four-month lay-off with a shoulder injury, Sexton slotted seamlessly into fly-half, scoring a try, converting all of Leinster's four, and adding on a penalty for good measure. It as a very fine performance by Sexton, the only botch on the copybook was a yellow card in the second-half for deliberate offside and a missed penalty to touch in the second-half.
But it was Sexton's virtuosos returned which dominated the post-game reaction.
Gerry Thornley writes in the Irish Times:
Joey Carbery is good. Real good. But as long as Johnny Sexton is around, well . . . Lest we forget, Leinster still boast the starting Lions Test outhalf and on his seasonal re-appearance after a four-month lay-off following a shoulder injury, Sexton made a winning return in every sense.
In the knowledge that he will only improve as the season goes on, Sexton marked his return with a try and a foot-sure 16-point haul, while generally oozing control as he ran the show with his smooth running and passing game.
Sexton also sported a brand new buzz cut: he had bleached his hair for charity a couple of weeks ago.
Fingers crossed he keeps fit for November. We'll need all the bodies we can get against the All Blacks in Soldier Field.
