"Johnny Sexton Should Start For The Lions Next Week"- Shane Byrne
Shane Byrne feels there is a place for Johnny Sexton in the starting Lions team, for next weekend’s second test against the All Blacks.
The Leinster and Ireland Number 10 started the first test defeat on the bench yesterday, with Owen Farrell taking the out-half berth in the side.
Sexton came off the bench in the second half, with the Lions chasing the game, as Farrell moved to inside centre.
There had been calls for Sexton and Farrell to start the game as a 10/12 partnership, and, after yesterday’s loss, those calls will intensify again ahead of next week’s second test.
Byrne feels starting the pair together is something Warren Gatland will have to think about.
He was speaking to Jamie Moore on Now That’s What I Call Sport earlier.
“It depends what he wants to do and how he wants to play it.
“Farrell didn’t have a bad game. It’s just that Sexton is a better attacker. He creates more in the back line, where Farrell is steadier and a little less off the cuff.
“The big problem is that Te’o has done nothing wrong. In fact he played really really well.
“Sonny Bill Williams wasn’t seen at all in the game, because Te’o had him completely marked down.