Irish internationals protected from rigours of club game

In case you are unaware, Irish rugby is one big company. Team Ireland supersedes everything else. Even the necessary flogging of thoroughbreds to secure victory on foreign European fields.

Even if they want to be flogged.

Provincial success is a secondary concern. Ideally, they dovetail together and everyone is happy. No chance of that at present. The priority is to ensure that shiny stadium at the end of Lansdowne Road is filled for every test match.

For a cautionary tale see the ticketing plights of their FAI house mates.

Got it? Good.

Johnny Sexton and Seanie O’Brien were taken off at half-time in this crucial Champions Cup game. Leinster trailed 14-3. One has a minor hamstring problem - major enough to ensure he did not kick at goal or very well from hand - the other had not played rugby since ripping his hamstring last February.

40 minutes played, Leinster struggling away to Montpellier and both men are removed. Leo Cullen told us the pair of them were “pissed off” but the priority is to mind them.

What’s new about that is front line Irish internationals are being protected from the rigours of the elite club tournament in northern hemisphere rugby. The wonder is if the same decision, to replace both at half-time, would have been made in a Champions Cup final. Of course not but it provides proof that times have changed.

“We just made the call,” Cullen explained. “It was not preordained. In the first half, even before the game, the pitch was heavy. If it cools down is [Sexton]more at risk?

“He came through fine. 40 minutes under his belt and he leads into what is ahead for those guys.”

By this Cullen means the November internationals. So it is a good thing for Ireland.

“There is always knock on consequences so we were ultra-cautious.

“Nobody likes getting taken off. We are not trying to be secretive in any way.”

All told, Cullen is striking a balance in an increasingly tough situation.

The bonus point helps. In the overall scheme of things this is an acceptable result. On examination of this error strewn performance, it is not so bad at all. The last 20 minutes, that is.

Leinster gifted Montpellier three tries at the Altrad stadium yet escaped with a valuable point and in the process confirmed the long term value of Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose and Dan Levy.

“Massive character,” said Isa Nacewa. “Look what Garry Ringrose did in the last 20 minutes that sparked forward momentum ball. Dan Leavy was sensational off the bench.

“I thought Joey Carbery managed that last 20 minutes really well, put the ball in front of the forwards, which you have to do on a pitch like that.

“Jamison’s impact was sensational as well - he has good eyes and good vision.”

The Ringrose running display, above all else and considering the heavy tackle he shipped from Nemani Nadolo early on, might just have turned Joe Schmidt’s head before next month (and those all important Ireland games).

“He surprises me every week in how many steps he goes forward,” said Nacewa, who rarely gives out individual platitudes. “On every big stage so far he has executed and taken it upon himself to make a difference.

“Garry gets better every week, it is exciting to watch.”

Not a bad day learning and surviving.

“When we walked into the stadium today we came here to win the game, not a losing bonus point,” Cullen protested.

That might be all they can expect though, especially considering the need to mind world class players like Sexton and O’Brien.

“Guys will go away for November, play for Ireland and we might not have them again until we play in Europe [in December]. That’s just the reality of the scenario we find ourselves in.”