Jamie Heaslip has dubbed Johnny Sexton Irish rugby’s equivalent to Tom Brady ahead of the Six Nations next month.
The former Leinster number eight likened Sexton to Brady, the seven-times Super Bowl-winning quarterback still going strong at 44 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dubliner Sexton handed Andy Farrell a much-needed boost ahead the tournament opener at home to Wales on February 5 as he made his return from injury in Sunday’s win over Montpellier.
The 36-year-old played the final half hour as Leinster romped to a record 89-7 victory, his first rugby since limping off in November’s 29-20 win over the All Blacks.
With second-choice Joey Carbery likely to miss some or all of the championship after undergoing elbow surgery, Sexton’s importance is even more pronounced.
Sexton’s provincial colleague Ross Byrne, Ulster pair Billy Burns and Ian Madigan and Connacht’s Jack Carty have all had opportunities to stake their claim in the past.
And with expectations high following the New Zealand win, Heaslip feels Sexton’s position as the number one out-half is more secure than ever.
“There’s a lot of guys sniffing around but for me Johnny is the GOAT. He’s not going anywhere,” Heaslip said at the launch of RTÉ and Virgin Media’s joint Six Nations coverage.
“He’s the Tom Brady of the IRFU right now and he’s not going to give up that jersey. He’s head and shoulders above everyone else right now.”
Of the alternative options, Heaslip and fellow former international Alan Quinlan agreed that Carty’s form this season leaves him best-placed to back up Sexton.
Heaslip said: “He has got to take the opportunity. This is a bit of a last chance saloon for him I think if he gets his chance with Ireland.”
Quinlan disagreed that it’s Carty’s final opportunity to impress, but he added that Ross Byrne’s reliability means he will always be part of the conversation.
“Ross Byrne is rock solid every time he plays for Leinster. He is going to be in the mix but there will be an argument for trying that spark Carty brings,” the former Munster flanker said.
“You get unbelievable control and I’m a big fan of Ross Byrne as well but it is hard to ignore Jack Carty.
“I wouldn’t say it is his last-chance saloon but definitely he has to take this opportunity if he gets in among them squad.
“He may not start but just how he performs in training, what he brings and how he impresses the coaches: I think it is a great opportunity for him.”
