The Jersey Reds second row, his body still sore following a tough and hugely professional victory over Doncaster Knights in the British and Irish Cup on Friday, was patrolling the touchline as a coach for grass-roots rugby less than 24 hours later, then went on to view his brother, Leinster and Lions super-star No 10 Johnny, in Sunday’s comprehensive European Cup victory over Saracens.
Stepping in as coach of Royals RFC, following the departure of Jersey team-mate Rory Pitman, the former London Irish lock was facing an altogether different set of challenges as the Island’s newest club went down 60-5 at a damp Grainville on Saturday.
Facing not the All Blacks’ haka, but visiting Sleaford RFC’s rather less-daunting version, based on the Humpty Dumpty rhyme, Sexton’s biggest challenge before kick-off was undoubtedly about putting his team together again.
Another real rugby man, Pat Dean, was on hand to help him, both well-knowing the value ‘old school rugby’ can bring to participants, while having to tolerate the frustrations it can bring to coaches.
‘We’ve got squad of around 50 players, but rarely have a consistent match-day squad available . . . there’s a lot of new faces here today,’ said Sexton before the start of the Royals’ latest Dominion Challenge Series match.
It was a first-names only basis for the majority of the players, and that lack of cohesion and game time together was evident throughout the match, which, nonetheless, was as enjoyable a way to stand in the rain as anything else available in amateur sport.
‘They put the effort in at training, but it’s rarely the same group of players,’ a statement I could well back up, not recognising at least three-quarters of the Royals since the last visit to ‘Fortress Grainville’ – the nickname given to the ground when United Banks strode the junior club scene.
As usual, there were the not inconsiderable plus-points to applaud. Whole-hearted effort, no little snatches of individual skill, and a refusal to throw in the towel are always important. But against a side that play league rugby in Lincolnshire, organisation and familiarity were the key missing facets that were ruthlessly exposed, with the visitors finding time to mix in comedy and a rich vein of banter with ten tries (half of them converted).
Bright moments from the Royals included stand-off Kirk Wisdom clawing his way over the line for what would have been an equalising try, had referee William Whitehead not ruled a double-movement offence; exceedingly bright and speedy running from new scrum-half Harrison Jukes; and a captain’s try from close range by front-rower Justin Hewgill, following a storming run from Jukes in the second half.
But a hat-trick of tries from huge centre John Spencer (which cost him the price of a jug of beer); two from flanker Tom Cockcroft; and singles from Dan Mackie, Matt Frisby, Conor Holmes, Ash Godwin and Paul ‘Judgemental’ Loveday set up the visitors for a crack at Jersey Wanderers on the Sunday.
After the joint team photo, Sexton pledged to keep on working with his men while looking forward to his brother Jonny making life a tad (but only a tad) easier for Jersey in the B&I Cup semi-final later this month by making sure Leinster beat Saracens in Sunday’s European Champions cup quarter-final. The Irish giants did win, 30-19, and so they will play their semi-final on the same weekend as their A side travel to face Jersey for a place in the final. But he threw out a warning . . . ‘It’s going to be tough. Leinster have 50 top class players – their A team had an Ireland international on the bench when they beat Munster A on Friday.’
Point well made . . .
