Contepomi says Sexton is ready for big step up

REACTION:AFTERWARDS SOMEONE in the Leinster camp made a point of handing a winner's medal to the Argentinian doctor. Much like his fellow countryman Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Felipe Contepomi's work in Leinster (Cuba) is done now the revolution is won.

The rugby nomad can finally move on. Toulon will probably be his Bolivia.

It is the sparks of genius which the RDS faithful (they are going to need a bigger boat now) will miss the most. On Saturday he was on the periphery, hobbling the tramlines of Murrayfield during the tension fuelled warm-up. Contepomi had no actual physical influence on the momentous capturing of the Heineken Cup, working instead with Michael Cheika and Emmet Farrell in the video bunker all week.

A few words in Johnny Sexton’s ear as well. Of course, it is now apparent his successor will not require much counsel from others in the future. Contepomi is best placed to state whether Sexton is ready to make a genuine challenge for the residency in the Irish outhalf jersey.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he is the next number 10 and sooner rather than later, because he has a lot to learn but you only get it by getting experience and that’s playing games. That’s it.

“He is ready. Ronan became the player he is in the last few years, but when he started there was always this discussion with (David) Humphreys. Who is better? You have your games that are not that good and great games. He is a great prospect and not that long. I say he is ready to play for the national team and play for Leinster regularly.”

Ronan O’Gara begins his third Lions tour this week, but come the autumn he will have a serious fight on his hands with a man who has added temperament and control to natural attacking, kicking and defensive games.

“He is young but he has a full bag of tricks,” said Contepomi. “He can run himself, take the ball to the line fast and has a great pass and a great kicking game as well. Today he showed it by the way he kept putting Leicester in their 22.

“The drop goal, having seen him do that in training, I think he was already up for those big moments. He is made for it. You can see players like him are made for big teams.”

Although the departure is tinged with sadness caused by injury against Munster, Contepomi takes up a four-year contract in Toulon satisfied that everything has now been achieved. After next Friday’s operation and six-month rehabilitation on his cruciate, he should be playing by late October.

“What better way to leave than with a Heineken Cup medal in your pocket. Obviously, it is bad, but that’s life. It was my decision in terms of there were things I had to put in balance. I think it was the right time to move on. I had an unbelievable time here in Leinster. I played some of my best rugby in the Leinster jersey. It is sad and probably tomorrow when I wake up and realise I won’t be in the dressing-room with the lads again it will be even sadder.”

Finally, a word for the long-standing begrudgers? “It is not that we wanted to prove anyone wrong. We did it for ourselves. We had the self-belief and we knew that we could do it.”

With that, a rugby revolutionary was gone.