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Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi backs ‘flying’ Johnny Sexton

Jonathan Sexton during Leinster squad training at UCD on Monday. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Expand

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Jonathan Sexton during Leinster squad training at UCD on Monday. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jonathan Sexton during Leinster squad training at UCD on Monday. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jonathan Sexton during Leinster squad training at UCD on Monday. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Cian Tracey Twitter Email

Leinster backs’ coach Felipe Contepomi has backed Johnny Sexton to bounce back from his Lions snub.

The Ireland captain was left out of the 37-man squad, with Warren Gatland citing concerns around Sexton’s durability.

However, Contepomi believes Sexton, who is nearing a return to action following his latest spell out with concussion, could have been managed and featured in the Test series against South Africa.

“There’s loads of players there, it’s not that he’ll play the nine games or all the games,” Contepomi said.

“It’s (about) managing players and it’s what he can bring or not, and you need to respect what selectors do, it’s very subjective. Maybe that’s the way they see it. The only one thing I can say is what I see every day, or even today, and Johnny is flying.

“But then, rugby is a contact sport and (if) Dan Biggar went out at the weekend with a concussion or a head injury, it doesn’t mean that he will be concussed in South Africa. It’s part of the game.”

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