JOHNNY SEXTON is getting in the heads of Ireland’s No 10s ahead of the Six Nations.
That is according to assistant coach Andrew Goodman who believes that the Ireland legend’s new backroom role can see all his heirs kick-on.
Sexton retired following the 2025 World Cup with Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, and Ciaran Frawley all getting opportunities to stake a claim to be his successor.
Prendergast, 21, appears to be his hands on the No. 10 shirt ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opener with England.
But all three are in camp and Goodman, a former outhalf himself, has been impressed by the work the trio are doing, and the input from Sexton in his first ever coaching role.
Goodman said: “He’s great to have around, apart from being a great padel partner – he’s sharp on the courtside and I try to get in with him as much as I can.
“He’s doing the coaching with the kicking and mental (skills) with the 10s.
“Who could you ask better for a young Irish No 10 to have Johnny Sexton around, watching training with you and giving you live feedback in training and everything else.
“He’s been in touch with them most weeks through the provincial European games. They have a great laugh together.
“The young No 10s all work well together and there’s often times they’re together chewing the fat around the game.”
But Goodman believes that former captain Sexton can also help the rest of the players, and the coaches.
He said: “Not just the 10s though, he’s been a great leader for this country as a captain so with a new captain in the group and some younger leaders coming through as well, it’s a massive, important year.
“He’s around for all players to use – not just the 10s.
“Around his leadership, not only with Ireland but with his province as well he’s passing on bits of wisdom to all of them.”
“For us coaches, he’s got such a great eye on the game.
“Personally, myself, I run things past him and I love him because he’s honest and he’ll provide his own opinion on things as well.
“And that always leads to discussion and debate and then ultimately you get to a really good spot.
“I’m using him a lot, he’s got a great eye for the game and hopefully he can continue in that role for as long as possible.”
Meanwhile, Goodman confirmed that Ireland have no fresh injuries ahead of Saturday’s game with Tadhg Furlong the only absentee with a calf problem.
Interim coach Simon Easterby will select his first XV of his six months in charge tomorrow with Prendergast expected to play at outhalf.
Dan Sheehan will likely get the nod at hooker having returned from an ACL injury for Leinster at the weekend with Tadhg Beirne in the second row alongside Joe McCarthy.
That will mean an all-Leinster back row of Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris.
The big calls among the backs are on the wing with James Lowe expected to start having also returned from injury for Leinster at the weekend.
Goodman said: “He looked pretty sharp at the weekend after a bit of an extensive lay-off.
“Seeing both him and Dan out there, playing like they did, was great to see and they’ve brought a lot of energy into the camp.
“Dan especially the boys are excited for. He’s had a decent layoff with the ACL and he’s done a great job to be back in time for the Six Nations.”
