Sexton-murray axis sorely missed as lack of control kills comeback hopes

Ireland could not have asked for a more knowledgeable water-carrier than Jonathan Sexton. The usual captain and totemic fly-half, though, looked as if he wanted to rip off his face mask and anorak and throw himself into the action after he muttered some late directions to replacement fly-half Ross Byrne.

The question on the lips of the Irish rugby public since their team’s ignominious World Cup quarterfinal defeat by New Zealand is: “What will Ireland look like without Sexton?” – and it is now fair to add: “How do Andy Farrell’s men play without Sexton and his long-time half-back partner Conor Murray?”

For all the analysis that could be done on Ireland bringing wings Keith Earls and James Lowe and full-back Hugo Keenan more into the game, as a sign of Farrell’s style – the glaring difference was their inachasing bility to claw back a game, particularly when they had 55 per cent of the possession.

It was the same last week against Wales. Murray and Sexton may have started that game, and much of the blame may have been directed towards Billy Burns’s errant kick that ended the match, but in the phases Ireland had at the death against Wales, their passing was shaky and unsure at times.

Against France there was an agonising sense of deja vu – not just in a game as they had the week before, but back to that fabled day at the Stade de France in 2018, when a last-gasp Sexton dropped-goal secured the win for Ireland. The hope was that, three years later, Byrne could emulate Sexton.

It was not Byrne’s fault, nor did the starting half-back pairing of Burns and Jamison Gibson-park do much wrong. But the sureness and control that Ireland have shown over the past decade was missing. No disrespect to the stand-ins, but one cannot help but think that if Sexton and Murray had been on the pitch, Ireland would have snatched victory. Such is their experience and competitiveness, it is unlikely they would have let their side’s championship hopes all but die.

But who was in their place to provide that fire?

Sexton’s influence may be spoken about more, but Murray’s innate calm – a trait first spotted when he was a teenager – can wash over his team-mates and Ireland badly needed that as they fought against Shaun Edwards’s defensive wall to keep their Six Nations hopes on track. But Ireland showed no signs of being able to breach the French defence in the dying minutes.

Psychologists say that one of the most difficult situations for a player in a team sport is to be put into the position of filling in for a great, and that is what both Burns and Gibsonpark have had to do. Perhaps it is something that will stand them in good stead in the future, but it was telling how Farrell, when asked on Irish television, tactfully ducked the question about missing players.

His silence said it all.

Jonny May (England)

May delivered on his promise to step up, scoring a 32nd Test try as part of a lively performance at Twickenham. Montanna Ioane was one of Italy’s best players.

Matthieu Jalibert (France)

1

Wyn Jones (Wales)

A menace at the breakdown and a close-range try-scorer, Jones continued his all-action campaign and is a major reason Wales have two wins from two.

2

Julien Marchand (France)

A go-to carrier, and he recovered from his early line-out wobbles. Ronan Kelleher finished a try well and Luke Cowan-dickie capitalised on a rare England start.

3

Kyle Sinckler (England)

On his return from suspension, Sinckler underlined what England missed against Scotland. The tighthead brings so much energy and is so loud on the field.

4

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Although Andy Farrell’s team are enduring a difficult Six Nations so far, Beirne has been a shining light for them and stood out on both sides of the ball yesterday.

5 Jonny Hill (England)

Hill (left) came off early, but had been excellent until then, scoring and throwing a scoring pass as well. Also forced a turnover and seems to be settling.

6

Charles Ollivon (France)

If captains are supposed to lead by example, Ollivon’s performance at the Aviva Stadium yesterday was close to perfect. He scored a try and racked up 20 tackles.

7

Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Tom Curry was one of England’s best at Twickenham, but we should salute a Scot here. Watson (right) must be grabbing the attention of Warren Gatland, the Lions coach.

8

Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Speaking of Lions, Faletau was a tourist in 2013 and 2017. He will be close to a third trip. Wales’ No 8 backed up 19 tackles with 11 carries against Scotland.