Ireland's center, Robbie Henshaw, holds the belief that Johnny Sexton won't require much time to return to his best form before the Rugby World Cup. Sexton has been absent from both provincial and national rugby since Ireland's victory over England in March, which secured the Grand Slam.
Adding to his absence, Sexton recently received a three-game suspension due to his conduct in the Champions Cup final in May. As a result, he will miss Ireland's World Cup warm-up matches against Italy, England, and Samoa. However, the 38-year-old will be eligible to play in Ireland's opening match of the tournament against Romania on September 9.
Despite this prolonged absence from the field, Sexton's provincial teammate, Henshaw, remains confident that he won't need an extended period to regain his rhythm when the tournament commences in September. Henshaw expressed this sentiment to the media, stating that Sexton's training has been exceptional, and he hasn't lost his sharpness, vision, or kicking abilities.
Henshaw also acknowledged that the only aspect Sexton needs to adjust to is the full contact of the game, which will come in the next few weeks as he gets back to doing his extra training and gets used to the physicality. This full-on, 100% contact is crucial when returning from a long-term injury.
"I'd back him all day to be honest to step into a game," Henshaw said.
"He’s been training the house down. I know it’s not full contact when we’re training but he hasn’t lost that sharpness, that vision or his kicking.
Robbie Henshaw has no concerns of Johnny Sexton being undercooked for World Cup campaign https://t.co/I7O9SnPJTm
— Irish Times Sport (@IrishTimesSport) July 21, 2023
"He’s been exceptional in training, leading the group so I suppose the only thing for a player coming back from a long-term injury is the contacts, that full contact, so I suppose over the next few weeks he’ll get a taste for that, doing his extra bits, and get used to that. That’s the main thing when you’re coming back, that full-on, 100% contact."
The outcome of Sexton's hearing was decided last Sunday, two months after Leinster's close defeat to La Rochelle. Henshaw, like many other Ireland players, awaited the decision but noted that it didn't distract the team during their preparations. They were all aware of the situation in the background, but they stayed focused on their training and meetings, ensuring that it didn't become a significant distraction.
"We knew it was going on in the background. Nobody had an idea of what was going to come of it.
"I think everyone was on the same page. Luckily we had our hands full with training and meetings so it was always going on in the background. Thankfully nobody got too distracted by it."
Henshaw expressed disappointment that Sexton won't be available for the home games, particularly missing the chance to play at the Aviva Stadium. However, he emphasised the importance of having Sexton back for the World Cup, which is a great asset for the team.
"It's unfortunate that Johnny won’t be there for the home games in particular. That’s probably the most disappointing thing for him and for us. For him to play in the Aviva is a big thing but I suppose looking at it it’s great that we have him for the World Cup."
Ireland Training Squad
Forwards (22)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University)
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster)
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)
Cian Prendergast (Connacht/Corinthians)
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)
Tom Stewart (Ulster/Ballynahinch)*
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)
Backs (20)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians)
Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)
Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)
James Lowe (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)
Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster)*
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)*
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan)
*denotes uncapped player
Bank of Ireland Nations Series Fixtures
- Saturday, August 5, Ireland v Italy – Aviva Stadium, 8pm
- Saturday, August 19 , Ireland v England – Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm
- Saturday, August 26, Ireland v Samoa, Stade Jean-Dauger, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
Rugby World Cup 2023 Fixtures
Pool B:
- Saturday, September 9, Ireland v Romania – Stade de Bordeaux, 3.30pm local time/2.30pm Irish time
- Saturday, September 16 , Ireland v Tonga – Stade de la Beaujoire, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
- Saturday, September 23 , Ireland v South Africa – Stade de France, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time
- Saturday, October 7, Ireland v Scotland – Stade de France, 9pm local time/8pm Irish time.
