Anyone that has closely follows Declan Kidney’s managerial career knows that he doesn’t do “change” just for the sake of short term gain. Much like Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, he has an incredible sense of timing when it comes to deciding when a player is ready and when a regular needs to stand aside. As an example, few saw the transition from Stringer to O’Leary in the Munster set-up as the right thing to do when it happened. With hindsight it looks like the work of a sage.
Including Sexton in Saturday’s starting line-up against the World and Tri Nations Champions is more than an acknowledgment of form. It’s Kidney’s signature move on the Autumn Series. It’s a statement of intent. We’re calling the shots, we’re upping the ante, we’re making the move, you react. We abandoned the combination of Garryowens and “abrasiveness” we were known for when the current current golden crop of players first started and the advent of the professional era saw the end of Irish sides that would die with ten minutes to go. Now we’re one step further on; we have options, and visiting teams, even the World Champions, need a serious analysis of what we’ll bring at 2:30 next Saturday. Chances are they won’t be quite sure until they experience it firsthand.
This move is also another step in the true development of a Irish squad that will eventually be in a position to overcome any injury, regardless of position. Ireland will soon be able to comfortably play any game that is necessary from a tight controlled encounter to an all out slugfest; both on the same day if necessary, preferably by the same players.
Whether or not Sexton is a success on Saturday is almost a side issue. What matters now is that we have a new seam of players who are willing, ready and able to bring something different. Exciting times lie ahead.
