Irish international legend Jonathan Sexton will make his comeback in the Clover XV against Romania on Saturday in Bordeaux almost six months after his last official match, between enthusiasm and nervousness on the occasion of his fourth and last World Cup.
At 38 years old and already 113 caps under his belt, Sexton is a regular at these global events. And yet, he admitted on Thursday to being as enthusiastic as he was nervous ahead of the first match against the Oaks “as is probably the case for all players”.
“There is anticipation to get into an incredible stadium, I am sure Irish fans will travel as they always do. It will be a very different atmosphere to what we normally experience at rugby matches. It’s very much like a World Cup football atmosphere and we can’t wait to be there,” he said at the Irish delegation’s hotel in Bordeaux.
“But there is also a little nervousness,” he added. We’ve been building (our path) over the last four years, so there’s some nervousness. We have to accept it and try to play our best.”
Asked about his level, he who has not played for almost six months – he injured his adductor muscles on March 18 against England – the Irish talisman hopes to “deliver a good performance” on Saturday.
“That’s what I expect of myself. There is no excuse for this. Once I got over the injury and once I was sure I was there, I focused on this game for the last two months. I can’t wait to be there now and finally get back on the pitch,” added Sexton, who was suspended for three weeks in July, stripping him of Ireland’s warm-up matches for “misconduct” during the final. Champions Cup between Leinster, his team, and La Rochelle, which he attended in the stands.
Facing Romania, whom he will face for the second time in the World Cup after 2015 (44-10 victory), Sexton revealed that the strong heat expected on Saturday in Bordeaux (36 degrees announced at kick-off) would not wasn’t afraid.
“It’s something we’ve prepared in case we have a game like this,” he said. It’s unusual in September, I lived here (in France) a few years ago and I don’t remember September ever being this hot, even in the south. So, it’s a bit strange but we will adapt and it will be the same for both teams, so no excuses on that.”
During the summer, the Irish team spent several days in Portugal and finished their preparation in Biarritz, 200 kilometers south of Bordeaux.
