IRELAND AND LIONS out-half Jonathan Sexton is understandably pleased to have an extra familiar face outside him in the Lions back-line for tomorrow’s second Test against Australia.
With Tommy Bowe’s inclusion in the squad, the Lions now have a third Irishman alongside three Welshmen and Ben Youngs behind the scrum. Whereas, last week, Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll were the only men without a 2013 Six Nations medal to their names.
The country of origin is irrelevant for Sexton, though. For him, Bowe represents an experienced campaigner, a proven finisher and a man who has earned the trust of everyone who has played inside him.
“Alex [Cuthbert] did well last week, but I’m delighted Tommy’s back.” Sexton said today. “To break a bone in your hand and then to play three weeks later is a pretty phenomenal recovery.
“He’ll bring a lot to us in terms of his ability in the air, his strike running and his work off the ball is brilliant.” Sexton added, before half joking:“He’ll be calling moves on himself all day, so I’ll have to control him a little bit. He’s mad for the ball. That’s great with wingers, you want them to be looking for the ball all the time.”
Closer into Sexton’s channel, he will form a rare partnership with Youngs. Despite Mike Phillips being ear-marked to be supplying him all summer, Sexton is comfortable with having another new face supplying him ball.
“It’s the same with every relationship on tour you don’t always get the luxury of playing a few games together,” Sexton says. “We had a little bit of game time at the end of the [Queensland} Reds game. We’ve had all week training. It’s been good. We’re pretty much on the same wavelength now.”
