Johnny Sexton setting high standards for year-end games
Johnny Sexton is keen for Ireland to enjoy a strong Autumn Nations Series which he hopes will boost confidence ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
Ireland will take on Japan, New Zealand and Argentina in Dublin during November, with a squad of 38 players named recently including Munster wing Simon Zebo.
Having defeated England 32-18 at the Aviva Stadium in March to finish the Six Nations campaign on a high note, the Irish extended their winning streak to five matches with summer victories over Japan and the United States.
Big series of games
With Sexton – who was rested for those two fixtures and has shaken off a recent hip problem – as well as the British and Irish Lions players now all back in the fold, attention quickly turns to the mindset needed to tackle the challenges ahead full on.
“It is a big series of games for us,” said the 36-year-old fly-half, who stands on the verge of winning his 100th Ireland cap.
“We have had some great performances and some average performances, so it is about getting that level of consistency where you don’t see us going up and down, you see that standard that we want to set.
“We have won our last five games in a row, but it is about quality of performance.
“Will it be hard? Yes it is going to be a challenge, a lot of guys could be a bit undercooked, having not played many games for their clubs.
“We are playing against teams which are battle-hardened.
“We have to set our standards high and expect performances of ourselves.
“We proved over the Six Nations we have big performances in us, but we need to make sure they are in us across the three games.”
Sexton continued: “We have spoken about that (the road to the World Cup), with a two-year block ahead of us.
“It is about how we are going to get ourselves into the position going into that tournament where we are the best we can be, full of confidence and ready to take on the world.
“This block starts now – we want to see continuous improvement and consistency that everyone is proud of.
“The focus is all on Japan now to get off on the best foot possible.”
Ireland are set to face the All Blacks in front of a full-capacity crowd at the Aviva Stadium on November 13, providing no additional coronavirus restrictions on numbers are imposed.
New Zealand were beaten on their last trip to Dublin back in 2018, but will head into the fixture on the back of a successful Rugby Championship campaign.
“When you talk about playing the All Blacks in front of a full stadium, if that doesn’t get you up for what is ahead, then nothing will,” Sexton said.
“We have missed the crowd so much, especially for the home games.
“It was something I took for granted and then when they are not there you kind of get used to it a bit, but to have them back has been brilliant.
“We have had some great crowds with Leinster, but a full crowd at the Aviva for an international, there is nothing like that, so we can’t wait.”
Farrell also had an eye on the future when naming his Autumn Nations Series squad, with Leinster duo Dan Sheehan and Ciaran Frawley two players hoping to earn a first senior international cap.
“The squad has a good balance, and we still have a few old heads knocking about which you need, and there are some fresh faces in,” Sexton said.
“You have got guys who impressed with Ireland in the summer and guys who impressed with the Lions, now we are all coming back together for the first time, so it is a very exciting place to be.”
Owen Farrell happy to help rising star Marcus Smith
Meanwhile, England captain Owen Farrell has said he will help fly-half Marcus Smith develop into a primary playmaker during the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.
The Harlequins star is set to retain the 10 shirt he donned for two Tests in July when Tonga, Australia and South Africa visit Twickenham next month.
That would see Farrell possibly play at inside centre, with George Ford no longer alongside him, as Eddie Jones looks to freshen up ahead of the World Cup.
Smith’s brilliance last season resulted in England and Lions call-ups and the challenge now facing the 22-year-old is to prove he can direct operations against heavyweight Test opposition.