Silver Linings – A young Jonny Sexton steps up to the mark

In honour of the Red Bull Silver Edition, we've taken a look back at some silver linings in the world of Sport. This week, it's Johnny Sexton's Heineken Cup break through for Leinster. It is hard to imagine now, but Jonny Sexton’s first major involvement in a Heineken Cup fixture for Leinster could have tipped the scales for their opponents...

By Declan Whooley

The Leinster out-half has had a brilliant run of success with his home Province in the past five years and his defection to France is going to be a huge loss to both Irish rugby, but also the three-time Heineken Cup champions. But his major break-through was in part to misfortune to their star player at the time, Argentinean out-half Felipe Contepomi.

Just four years ago, arguably the two best sides in Europe clashed in what was a mouth-watering Heineken Cup semi-final against old rivals Munster in the unique setting of Croke Park. The game was about as box-office as it could get for Irish rugby.

A world-record attendance for a club game, Munster were the reigning champions and looking to make it three wins in four years. They had embarrassed Leinster at Lansdowne Road on their way to the final in 2006 and eight players had been selected for the Lions tour to South Africa.

It was a daunting challenge facing an exciting Leinster side that had lost their three previous semi-finals. A fourth against their neighbours would have been difficult to stomach.

Quickly settling to the task

Contepomi had been the play-maker for a number of years and along with brian O'Driscoll, was the marquee name in the team. His early drop-goal settled their nerves until a penalty from Ronan O’Gara cancelled that out. Then on 25 minutes disaster seemingly struck when injury forced him from the field of play.

Jonny Sexton, then an inexperienced 23 year-old was sprung from the bench and his performance was fitting of the man he replaced. Not only did he produce a wonderful display of composure and temperament, his defensive efforts didn’t go unnoticed either.

After his arrival, Leinster scored 22 points, with just a solitary penalty from O’Gara in reply. His reaction towards his opposite number after one of the scores showed he was certainly not overawed by the much-vaunted out-half.

Not daunted by reputations

This vein of form continued into that year’s final in Edinburgh, where Leinster finally reached the pinnacle with victory over Leicester Tigers. Again a nerveless display from the St. Mary’s man was instrumental, with a drop-goal in particular an indication of both his skill and big match temperament.

Sexton has gone on to enjoy many great days in such pressure cooker environments, but were it not for an unfortunate injury to the man ahead of him in the pecking order four years ago, it could well have taken the out-half longer to show his undoubted class.

As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining.

To relive the crucial moments mentioned above, check out the video below: