mobanmarketFormer Ireland and Lions fly-half Ronan O’Gara insists that Ross Byrne has leapt to the front of the queue to become Johnny Sexton’s reliable backup after starring against France in the Six Nations.
Sexton has had a stranglehold on the starting number 10 jersey for the better part of a decade but, with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, they have struggled to find a viable alternative should the 37-year-old not be fit.
Byrne’s capability
However, O’Gara believes that Byrne’s performance against Les Bleus has pushed him ahead of the rest.
“With Ross Byrne’s capability off the tee, it’s astounding now that any kick is a gimme,” O’Gara told Off the Ball.
“He’s put himself probably in a territory where very few players in the world are in that regard. Because off the bench, or in a tight game, it’s a wonderful [thing to have]. A guy hitting 99 out of 100 fairways doesn’t miss.”
Byrne returned to the Ireland set-up last November, coming off the bench to slot the match-winning penalty in the 13-10 victory over Australia. He was also among the replacements for the win over Wales and converted a penalty and conversion in the win over France.
The 27-year-old has successfully kicked his last four attempts at goal for Ireland in his three appearances from the bench.
🗣"He's put himself in a territory where very few players in the world are in that regard."
Ronan O'Gara thinks Ross Byrne is locked in as the future of the out-half position in Ireland now.
🗣"These games speak loudly."@VodafoneIreland #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/SD1vZt0BB0
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 13, 2023
But can he be handed the responsibility in the starting line-up for Ireland if Sexton were to be unavailable for a big Test?
France a bigger examination
Asked if he believed that Byrne could be an effective starter when Sexton is unavailable or once he retires, Ronan O’Gara said: “Yeah, most definitely [he has rubberstamped his place as Sexton’s replacement].
“These games speak loudly. Especially, with all due respect, that’s the top tier of northern hemisphere rugby yesterday. There isn’t a bigger examination.
“There’s people who could pick holes in it if it’s an Italian or Scottish or a Welsh team. But England or France, these are incredibly difficult games.
“And the game still had to be won at 55 minutes. It could have gone either way.”
Byrne could well be given the opportunity to prove himself in round three of the Six Nations. Ireland head to Rome to take on Italy, and captain Sexton might not be available for the clash after sustaining a groin injury.
He is still with the 25-player squad retained for the fixture, along with Byrne, but may be rested or benched for the clash.
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