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Rory Best says that Johnny Sexton has widened the gap between him and his fly-half competitors in the Ireland squad.

Former hooker Best fears that Ireland are more reliant on the veteran playmaker now than in the build-up to the World Cup in Japan in 2019.

Sexton, the current Ireland captain, underwent surgery on a cheekbone injury but is still set to feature for Andy Farrell’s side during the Six Nations.

Sexton leading the pack

The 37-year-old was on top of his game in 2022, guiding Ireland to a runners-up place in the Six Nations, a series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand, and wins in the end-of-year Tests against Australia and France.

He was shortlisted for the World Rugby Player of the Year Award for his efforts and remains his country’s undisputed first-choice for the number 10 role, with the World Cup fast approaching.

Farrell has tested the depth at Ireland with the likes of Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne, Billy Burns, Ciaran Frawley and Jack Crowley all deputising for Sexton since 2020.

However, Best believes his former international team-mate has widened the gap to his rivals and admits the lack of competition is “a worry”.

“I definitely don’t think we’re less dependent; we were probably less dependent on Johnny about six or seven years ago than we are now,” said the ex-Ireland captain.

“I think there’s a combination of things. Joey’s injuries haven’t helped since the last World Cup, while Johnny has played some of the best rugby he’s ever played, and then we’ve got a lot of young guys who aren’t getting a lot of game time, starting 10 in big games.

“There’s plenty of URC (United Rugby Championship) experience there, and as we’ve sort of seen, I think in the URC there’s, unfortunately, a gulf between the top and bottom teams; it’s too big.

“I don’t know that we’re necessarily any closer to finding cover for Johnny. If anything, Johnny has widened the gap by the way he’s playing, and in the way he’s leading, which is always a worry.”

Opportunities

Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign as the top-ranked side in the world, and Farrell’s men will be eager to build on last year’s Triple Crown success.

Yet, Best believes there is a case for using the tournament to develop competition for the likes of Sexton and tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong.

“This Six Nations will be interesting to see is it about a Grand Slam or a championship and really ramming home that momentum that we’ve built over the last couple of years,” said the 40-year-old.

“Or is there a scenario where we go, ‘we’ve a couple of holes around Furlong, around Sexton, and we’re going to put them on the bench to give us a safety blanket, but we’ve got to try to push through the next people in there’.

“That’s a question that will be answered over the next couple of months, and it will be a question that Andy will know the answer to himself. But ultimately, that is a decision and a strategy that has to be made.”

Ireland face Wales in the opening round of the Six Nations on February 4 before hosting the defending champions France at the Aviva Stadium seven days later. They have away matches against Italy and Scotland before completing their campaign against England in Dublin.

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2022 has thrown up plenty of storylines in the world of Rugby.From last-minute finishes, controversy and world-class action, the past 12 months have thrown up plenty of exciting stories across the Rugby landscape.CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR EARLY BIRD AND HOSPITALITY TICKETS FOR THE HSBC SYDNEY SEVENSWith this in mind, Rugby.com.au breaks down the best stories from 2022, looking at the top six stories in 2022PART ONE 12-7: Super W, Wallaroos return and the Wales miracle6. Chaotic startThe first Test set the scene for a dramatic 2022 Test campaign as the Wallabies welcomed England to Perth.Even before the kick-off, Dave Rennie’s men lost Quade Cooper in the warm-ups, thrusting Noah Lolesio into the starting line-up.Tom Banks broke his arm, Darcy Swain was red carded, Allan Alaalatoa was concussed – and that was all before the referee called time on the first half.In true Wallaby fashion, this only spurred them on as a second-half surge powered them over the line.The injuries and inconstancies would catch up to them as England and Eddie Jones claimed the 2-1 series win

5. Amazing AotearoaRugby World Cup 2021 has kick-driven Women’s International Rugby into another gear as the hallmark event was hosted in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.From Fijiana shining in their first appearance to multiple attendance records being set, the event set the benchmark heading forward and will hopefully see further nations adopt a professional model.The benefits of this were seen in the final, one of the best regardless of gender, with the Black Ferns ending the 30-game winning streak of England in the final minutes.It was the perfect display of Rugby and the perfect way to end a tournament embraced by the New Zealand public. 4. Bledisloe battleArguably the most dramatic Bledisloe clash in recent history.The Wallabies looked to have pulled off an epic comeback when Nic White kicked a 77th-minute penalty to put them in front, recovering from an 18-point deficit to hit the front.Lalakai Foketi’s turnover in the final minute appeared to have closed it out. But that’s where the drama starts.Preparing to kick for touch, Bernard Foley was pinged for wasting time with a minute to go, giving the visitors one last chance as Jordie Barrett dived over in the corner.For Wallabies fans that had gone through plenty of heartbreak in the two decades since their last Bledisloe victory, the series of events were gut-wrenching, dominating discussions to this day about whether Mathieu Raynal had made the right call. 3. Hooper steps awayMaybe the most important moment for the Wallabies happened off the field as Michael Hooper announced he was stepping away from the game for personal reasons.The decision rocked Australian Rugby, coming out of nowhere before the first Test against Argentina.Hooper’s vulnerability and openness when speaking about his issues could almost unimaginably have a longer-lasting effect on the wider sporting community than his Herculean efforts on the field, opening the dialogue for people to open up.His absence also saw a number of stars step up and take centre stage before he eventually returned for the Spring TourFraser McReight showed why he is considered next in line whilst Pete Samu broke free of the ‘super sub’ tag and has emerged as a genuine star in that forward pack.Along with this, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa stepped up as leaders, captaining the Wallabies in his absence.2. Misfits deliver magicThe Men’s Sevens squad pulled off a historic feat when they claimed their first HSBC World Series title in 2022.After coaching swaps and a reduction of full-time members to just six, the decks were certainly stacked against them heading into the Series.However, John Manenti was able to galvanise the group of self-titled ‘Misfits’, remaining in the hunt thanks to consistent podium finishes.They made their charge in London, claiming the title before a third-place finish in LA helped seal the deal.This is followed by a breakthrough Hong Kong title, their first at the venue in almost 40 years, silencing any talks they had faced a ‘weakened’ competition with NZ and Fiji missing several events.1.Triple CrownThe Women’s Sevens team cemented their status as one of the best sides in World Rugby as they swept the titles in 2021-22.It started with the HSBC World Series, winning four of six events in dominant fashion.This was backed up by a breakthrough Commonwealth Games gold, eliminating New Zealand in the Final before getting a measure of revenge against Fiji in the final, the team that ended their Olympic dreams almost 12 months earlier.Completing the ‘Triple Crown’ was Rugby Sevens World Cup success, capping off a remarkable comeback for a program that struggled under the weight of backing up their Olympic title last year.Charlotte Caslick further her claims towards the title of 'greatest Sevens player ever 'whilst the likes of Maddison Levi, Faith Nathan and Madison Ashby proved the future is bright for the program.Click Here: Germany National Team soccer tracksuit

Lyon are in the process of finalising a major mini-coup to sign French U17s international right-back Saël Kumbedi from Ligue 2 outfit in Le Havre – the teenager will be the back-up in his position in the OL 1st team squad to Malo Gusto for the 2022/23 campaign, according to L’Équipe.

Kumbedi was part of the France U17s set-up that won the Euros and scored twice in the final of that tournament. 

With 12 months remaining on his contract with Le Havre, the teenager has decided to make a move to OL where he will sign his first professional contract for 3 seasons, with the option to extend by a further 2 years.

OL will pay around €1m to acquire Kumbedi. Lyon have beaten away competition from AC Milan and AS Monaco for his signature by selling the teenager a better project: immediate integration into the 1st team as the back-up to Malo Gusto, with the intention for him to become 1st choice next season as they expect to lose Gusto in the 2023 summer transfer window.

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Le Havre are majorly disappointed in his departure, having made just 6 appearances for the club despite his immense potential. New HAC Sporting Director Mathieu Bodmer failed to convince the player to stay and sign a professional deal with the Ligue 2 outfit instead.

 

New coach Eddie Jones will mastermind a "reset" of the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup and has matured since his previous stint in charge, Rugby Australia's boss told AFP.Australia sacked Dave Rennie and replaced him with former England coach Jones on Monday, less than eight months before the World Cup in France.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!"Eddie and I believe we can win the World Cup this year. That's a lot to do but we really believe we have got a fair shake," chairman Hamish McLennan said."I think it is a whole-of-game reset that Eddie will lead," he said, foreseeing changes in players' strength and conditioning, coaching and "ultimately the game plan".The 62-year-old Australian Jones first coached the Wallabies in 2001-2005, taking the hosts to the 2003 World Cup final, where they lost to England.McLennan said he had no concerns about England's decision to sack the outspoken Jones in December over his record there."I think in life quite often you mature with age and I think he's a better coach than 20 years ago," he added.The Australian boss praised Jones's World Cup record."He performs well at World Cups — that is really critical for us. And then we have the home World Cup in 27," he said.Jones's availability was a "unique opportunity presented at short notice, but we are very comfortable with the decision", McLennan added.Jones, whose contract runs until 2027, will also oversee the Wallaroos, the national women's team, programme."Overwhelmingly his focus is on the Wallabies, but the women's game is a priority for Rugby Australia," McLennan said.Rugby Australia wanted to find "synergies" for the Wallaroos in coach selection — which Jones will be responsible for — and high-performance techniques, the rugby chief said."Eddie is very enthused by the opportunity and as you would know, Eddie is a worker, and so he will make it all work," said McLennan.McLennan said it was a tough call to sack Rennie, who took over from Michael Cheika at the end of 2019."It was a very difficult decision for us and ultimately we are grateful for all the hard work that Dave did for our team."In his first statement since being appointed, Jones said his immediate aim was to win the World Cup."It is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup," he said. Click Here: Roberto Firmino Jersey Sale

Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell was full of praise for his charges after they sealed a 22-19 win against Edinburgh in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash on Saturday.

As the scoreline suggests, this was a tightly-contested battle, and Powell was proud of how his team, who were without the services of rested Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse and Lukhanyo Am, gutsed it out en route to victory.

Full of pride

“As a coaching team and management, we are so proud of the boys for the effort, the fight and the character they showed in that match,” Powell told the Sharks’ official website.

The character which Powell refers to was on display during the dying moments of the encounter at the DAM Health Stadium when the Sharks had to dig deep to keep their hosts at bay with a resilient defensive effort.

“I know it was tough in the last few minutes when they kept Edinburgh out, but they showed a lot of fight throughout the whole 80 minutes,” he said.

The Sharks came into their clash with Edinburgh after suffering a defeat to Harlequins in the Champions Cup, and Powell admitted that he urged his players to increase their intensity levels against the Scottish capital outfit, which they did.

“We asked them to be physical and dominant and they were exactly that, for the entire game,” he explained.

“It was a really good start from us, in that first 25-30 minutes we defended well, we retained our structure, and we played the game in the right areas of the field. But in the last 10 to 15 minutes of the first half, they played off our mistakes and we allowed the game to get unstructured which suited their way of play.

“That’s when they scored those three tries just before half-time.”

The Sharks’ triumph was a crucial one in the grander scheme of things as the result meant they leapfrogged Edinburgh on the URC standings, and the Durban-based side are now in the play-off positions as they are occupying eighth spot – just one point adrift of seventh-placed Benetton but with two matches in hand on the Italian outfit.

“We will definitely take a lot of confidence and momentum out of this one,” said Powell. “We’ll enjoy the win before returning to South Africa to start our preparations for the Stormers’ game at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this weekend. We know we have to refocus and prepare well for that game.

Full of commitment

“Everyone is committed and knows where we want to go this season, and that commitment was shown on the field [against Edinburgh], especially on defence.

“We’re just so, so, so proud of the boys for what they showed out there, and this is the standard we want shown from the Cell C Sharks in how we play and how we pitch up for every single game.

“A great effort, great character and great fight.”

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An inspired defensive performance has secured a crucial 12-7 win for Australia over Great Britain.Like their female counterparts, the defending World Series champions looked disjointed to start as GB took a 7-5 lead into the break.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!With the knockout stage dreams on the line, Maurice Longbottom and Henry Paterson stepped up, combining to re-take the lead before producing a number of strong defensive plays to close it out.Coach John Manenti was left frustrated after the Australians struggled to convert their scoring opportunities.James Turner went close in the opening minute before a certain try to Nathan Lawson was brought back after a forward pass from Henry HutchisonOn several occasions, they failed to connect with the final pass, allowing Great Britain back into the contest after an early try to Dietrich Roache.“I’m not (happy). I think we turned over (the ball) four times in possession, three of which should’ve been tries. I’ll put that down to a bit of anxiousness and the boys looking to play well," Manenti said, who admitted he's no longer pleased with just competing.“I’ll give them this grace and try and stay calm because that performance won’t win us many games of football. We defended really well but we need to stop turning the ball over and giving them opportunities.“We had three clear scoring opportunities and should’ve iced the game at half-time. They know that and I know they’ll be feeling emotional about playing here and looking to do well so that’ll be good to get out of the system.”Senior players Paterson and Longbottom changed the game, with Paterson put through the hole by his vice-captain to restore the lead after the break.The Easts product then produced a massive hit to halt a GB attack before coming up with the game-sealing turnover at the end of the game.Longbottom was likewise heroic in defence, making multiple hits on bigger men to ensure Australia end day one on a high."It was a nervy start but it showed how much we really care," Paterson believes."With the nature of Sevens, you're trying to not get too concerned with the score. We knew we had to start the second half strong and when 'Moz' got the ball, I tried to play off him and good stuff happened."We're happy with the start but we have five more games to be better.""We want to be a great team and to do so, you have to perform consistently every time," Manenti added."If we can defend with that attitude and mentality all tournament, that'll define where we go."Australia 12 (TRIES: Paterson, Roache; CONS: Roache) def Great Britain 7 (TRIES Fergusson; CONS: Emery)Click Here: lions rugby online store

FC Nantes goalkeeper and captain Alban Lafont is relishing the chance to play European football, and spoke to L’Équipe ahead of Les Canaris’ Europa League opener against Olympiacos at the Stade de la Beaujoire. He expressed the enormity of the ocaison but warned discipline and concentration for his side. 

“We’ve been waiting for this kind of match since we were little, I’m in this sport to experience emotions like this. It’s going to be great, exceptional, but we have to put that aside, concentrate on the match, on the technical aspects, and not arrive as tourists. The serious stuff starts now.”

20 years after their last appearance in Europe, Nantes return with fervour for a taste of continental competition, starting with a difficult fixture against Olympiacos, in a group which will see Nantes also face Azerbaijian side Qarabag and current Bundesliga high-flyers Freiburg in group G of the Europa League.

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The ACT Brumbies have hit the ground running under new coach Stephen Larkham, grinding out a 31-26 against the NSW Waratahs in Griffith.His first game in charge since taking the reins from Wallabies-bound Dan McKellar, Larkham's Brumbies scored three second-half tries to seal the campaign-opening win.With heavily-rotated squads from both sides meaning the contest will offer practically no formline for their Super Rugby Pacific round one clash on February 24, each team will have been impressed with strong displays from some off-season additions.Australian Rugby Sevens talent Corey Toole turned in the most eye-catching display, the winger scoring an impressive first-half try and adding another in the second with flashy footwork making him one of the Brumbies' better creative options throughout the game.But NSW would have been thrilled with the return of former Wallaby star Tolu Latu from French side Stade Francais.The hooker came off the bench in the second half and hit the scoreboard quickly, showing what he might add to the Tahs' pack this season.As if proving they'd lost nothing from McKellar's departure, the Brumbies powered over from his trademarked rolling maul to open their account, while Toole's brilliant hand to a Declan Meredith grubber got them in front early.The Waratahs scored either side of that double through Harry Wilson and Te Tera Faulkner, but two quick Brumbies' tries to start the second half gave them some breathing room.Young NSW fullback Ben Dowling scored a great try late in proceedings courtesy of a brilliant ball from Jack Bowen.Off-season ACT signing Jack Debreczeni impressed in the halves with Ryan Longergan, the five-eighth making his case to lock down a spot in the Brumbies' 23 for the coming season with stylish play-making in the second half.The Tahs also got back flanker Lachie Swinton for his first run in a year, having missed considerable time dealing with nerve damage to his shoulder.New Wallabies boss Eddie Jones was in attendance, although he had to wait until the second half to see a number of his national team troops in action.Both sides started without most of their regular players, Charlie Gamble, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed among the starters for the Waratahs while Ed Kennedy and Rory Scott were familiar faces for the Brumbies.They each emptied the bench in the second half, the Brumbies unleashing Wallabies talent including Lachie Lonergan and Darcy Swain.Click Here: westmeath gaa jerseys

L’Équipe report today that contrary to what was initially announced, Kylian Mbappé’s contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain consists of a two-year commitment with an option for an extra season, rather than a flat three years.

The additional year is dependent on the French striker’s decision alone, and could mean that PSG find themselves facing another transfer saga for their forward come next summer.

Mbappé’s decision over whether to trigger the clause will presumably depend on the club’s progress on the pitch, and the World Cup winner could use the arrangement as a way to put the pressure on the management.

The forward himself remained enigmatic when asked about his future last week in a press conference – “This is neither the time nor the place, nor am I the person who can best answer that question”. When contacted by L’Équipe, Mbappé’s team declined to make a comment.

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PSG’s impressive start to the season despite a disappointing transfer window means they can be hopeful of another extension – the club wants him in Paris past 2025. However, the Ligue 1 champions’ recent FFP sanctions as well as Chelsea’s moves for sporting advisor Luís Campos could change things.