LET THE battle of the 10s commence. Incoming visitors South Africa had a similar debate last summer when Morne Steyn’s proficiency with the boot eventually demanded Ruan Pienaar was facilitated elsewhere (bench or fullback as it turns out).

Ronan O’Gara can only play outhalf. The same goes for Jonathan Sexton. We have a stand-off. Well, actually, Declan Kidney is the only opinion that counts on this issue.

“A few fellas made me think but that’s a positive,” was as close as the Irish coach came to the issue.

“You ask them to be themselves. If you look at John’s games in school and A games for Ireland and Leinster that’s what he has done. He has just brought it here now. There will be many more stages for him to do that with Leinster and Ireland over the coming years, please God.”

This will probably run all the way to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. Unless, of course, like Steyn, Sexton makes a case so strong he cannot be denied control of the Irish reins for much longer. O’Gara is 33 next March. Sexton is currently 24.

The fact the Cork man is a few decent outings shy of 1,000 Test points demands some loyalty.

Three touchline conversions and a dashing break to introduce himself on the world stage demands another opportunity for Sexton.

“He did okay,” said Kidney. “We have just been working together now for a year but he’s shown great maturity. What I liked about Jonathan last year was when he was in times of adversity, you know? I’m delighted for him. Hopefully he will enjoy every minute. It is a special day for him and his family.

“But I think he has the maturity to know there was good service on the inside and good support on the outside. He certainly played his part in that and I’m delighted for him because last year when things might not have been going his way, he stuck at it and I think that is the real sign of a person and that’s probably what has come through today.”

The coach couldn’t resist some dry humour: “I was shocked he got man of the match in the RDS.”

We have been forced into trying to read Kidney’s mind until lunchtime tomorrow when the Test XV to play the Springboks is revealed. Will Kidney go purely on form and select Sexton? Unlikely. Will he haul O’Gara off around the hour mark if the occasion demands it against the world champions? Possibly. Will O’Gara take his only opportunity to atone for the disastrous endgame at Loftus Versfeld last June? The man will certainly endeavour to make the most resounding statement of a flawed but essentially impressive 11-season international career.

A debate that is sure to run and run. O’Gara’s defence in comparison to Sexton’s leaves him trailing. Sexton’s kicking game is currently better. Pressure? See the Heineken Cup semi-final and final of 2009 for Sexton. For O’Gara flip back to the Millennium Stadium, be it in Munster red against Biarritz in 2006 or last year’s Grand Slam heroics. Experience? O’Gara remains in the box seat for now.

All Sexton’s performance lacked on Saturday was a bone-crunching hit. Every other facet of his game, solid control and capable distribution, was evident as he continued to turn up the heat on O’Gara.

The understudy is making a lot of noise. Sexton is a St Mary’s College-educated, silky outhalf with Kerry roots. He carries himself with the right sprinkle of arrogance, so necessary for rugby’s quarterback. He has come the long way to reach this juncture, playing AIL as late as last season having struggled to break through at Leinster due to Felipe Contepomi’s presence. Michael Cheika’s arrival five years ago slowed the process. David Knox helped refine his game.

It makes for a very interesting lead-in to Ireland matches henceforth. We can safely assume Sexton is the future and O’Gara is the past. The question now is who is the present? Kidney will inform us tomorrow.

“The difficulty for rugby (in Ireland) is that it is all position specific. The competition for the secondrow places in this country is phenomenal but it might not be quite as deep in other positions. That’s why what is important is Tony Buckley coming in and playing the way he played.

“The fact Tom Court did a good job, I know the Fijians had a young frontrow but lads still have to go out and get a bit of confidence. There are a few positions we are still touch and go but it will be like that all the time in Ireland. But are we better off than we were? Yes.”

Fiji had little to offer but coach Glen Ella kept us entertained: “(Brian) O’Driscoll he comes out of the line all the time, the bastard.” Once the laughing subsided the former Wallaby outhalf mentioned another player by number. He couldn’t remember the guy’s name. “Impressed with their number 10. His first cap. He is going to have a bright future for Ireland for many years to come.”

The name is Sexton. Jonny Sexton. Soon, they will all have it on the tip of their tongue.