Regularly on the receiving end of hard and/or late tackles, Ireland's Johnny Sexton has revealed that he feels largely powerless after any efforts to curtail this reoccurrence has come up short.
Speaking on Wednesday's OTB AM, the Rugby World Player of the Year described his frustrations in trying unsuccessfully to cultivate a safer playing environment for himself.
2019 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 2/2/2019Ireland vs England
Ireland's Johnny Sexton
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
"I don't know what to do anymore," Sexton noted of being hit by opposition players off the ball.
"Sometimes I get straight back up, sometimes I try to stay down for a second so they might review it, or sometimes I retaliate.
"Nothing seems to work, so I just get on with it now."
Whilst admitting that it is not something he spends an awful lot of time contemplating, the Leinster fly-half remains frustrated by it, nevertheless.
"It can be frustrating when you want to stay in the game and get a second touch on the ball," Sexton stated.
"Maybe that's why teams are doing it, because you can't play wrap-around plays or get a second touch.
"It is what it is ... [there's] nothing more I can do really."
Everyone’s in the Team Of Us.
Vodafone. The Official Sponsor of the Irish Rugby Team.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
