'We didn't have confidence Johnny could get through a tough, physical tour' - Gatland gives verdict on Sexton omission

Johnny Sexton has missed out on the Lions

Ruaidhri O'Connor Twitter

May 06 2021 02:49 PM

Warren Gatland says concerns over Johnny Sexton's "durability" cost the Ireland captain his Lions place.

The 35-year-old Leinster star, who started five of the last six Lions Tests under Gatland and came off the bench in the other, was not among the 37 players named for this summer's tour of South Africa.

Sexton has been forced off with head injuries in the two matches since the Six Nations and is suddenly on the injured list at Leinster after missing last weekend's Heineken Champions Cup semi-final defeat to La Rochelle.

Gatland instead went with Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell and Finn Russell, describing the decision to leave Sexton out as "one of the toughest we had to make".

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"I've got a huge amount of respect for Johnny and his quality," Gatland said.

"But, it's such a pivotal position for us and it's about sending a message to the No 10s we have selected that we have confidence and belief in them to do a job.

"When we looked at where we were going, to South Africa, probably the thing that kept coming back to us was Johnny's durability.

"Being able to put a string of games together, consecutively big matches together. He has been rested on a number of occasions and, unfortunately, that's possibly what swayed it for us in terms of us not having the confidence that he can get through what's going to be a tough, physical tour."

Although eight Irish players were selected by Gatland, there was a big focus on the omissions.

Another big Irish casualty was James Ryan who appears to have paid the price for Leinster's meek submission in France.

Instead, Ulster's Iain Henderson and Munster's Tadhg Beirne join captain Alun-Wyn Jones and England trio Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill as the second-rows as the Ireland pack leader misses out.

"Look, there are a lot of tough calls. James was pretty unlucky," Gatland said.

"For us, it was getting that balance right with our second-row and back-row options and having cover in those positions. Players being able to play second-row or back-row.

"Look, James is unlucky.

"We saw an example last weekend with Leinster against La Rochelle and if you look at the match properly, La Rochelle reminded me of what we're going to face in South Africa.

"We're going to face big, physical men. They'd Will Skelton, how direct they were coming off No 9.

"Probably the last couple of years, with Leinster in a couple of those big games.... I know they were really good against Exeter, but we saw at the weekend and 12 months ago against Saracens in the European quarter-final - they've really gone hard at them physically up front and that challenge..."

The second name read out by manager Jason Leonard was Bundee Aki's, a decision that caused a stir given the Connacht centre's limited appearances in recent times.

Yet, despite getting a red card, the former Waikato Chief impressed Gatland in his performance against England.

"That combination of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw was outstanding for Ireland against England, we've got to be able to have that balance between physicality that they bring and the ability to play rugby," he said.

"Both of those players bring that, they know how to roll their sleeves up when it does get tough but they also can play some pretty positive attacking rugby as well."

As well as Beirne, Henderson, Aki and Henshaw, Conor Murray, Tadhg Furlong, Jack Conan and Andrew Porter make up the Irish contingent in the 37-man tour.

Lions assistant coach Neil Jenkins agreed that Sexton was unlucky to miss out on selection.

Jenkins praised the quality of the men who made it, while admitting that concerns over Sexton's durability played a role.

“Obviously, it’s very tough on Johnny," Jenkins said.

"I agree he’s a fantastic player. His goal-kicking in this Six Nations has been very, very good, the best I’ve seen him kick, off the floor especially.

"I know he’s very good anyway, but he’s been exceptional in this Six Nations.

“Look it’s very, very tough. We’ve got Dan Biggar in Wales, Finn Russell, Owen Farrell and obviously Johnny. Someone was going to miss out and Finn missed out four years ago and this time, sadly, it’s Johnny.

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“I don’t think it’s an easy way to go around it really. He’s a fantastic player and it’s very difficult to pick (from) the four of them and just sadly at this moment in time Johnny has missed out.”

Sexton has recently been stood down after suffering three head injuries in nine weeks, and the 1997 tour full-back said his absence did play a role in the decision.

“Obviously, there is a little bit of concern about the concussions and stuff like that, there’s no doubting that. But that’s obviously for the medical staff and the medical side of things and a little bit of durability," he said.

“But look, he’s a fantastic player, I’m not questioning that whatsoever but it’s very difficult where we’re going with the physicality and presence we’re going to bring, and the other boys are very, very good themselves.

“So it was very difficult, whoever was going to miss out was going to be extremely disappointed and rightly so. Sadly, at this point in time it’s Johnny. He’s a fantastic player and he’s been exceptional on the last two Lions tours that I’ve been on, he’s been very good with myself.

“I just see myself as a facilitator for these boys. They’re the best of the best when they turn up and we try to keep them doing the same stuff that they do whether it be with Ireland, Scotland, England or Wales.

“He had a good Six Nations but the other guys did as well. Owen is a fantastic player and been there and done it himself. It’s not an easy decision by any stretch of the imagination.”