Sexton set for Final test

 

By Mark Stevens

Jerry Sexton says it will be like a "dream come true" when he features for Exeter Chiefs in Sunday's LV= Cup Final against Saracens at Franklin's Gardens (3pm).

Brought to Devon in the summer initially on a three-month trial following a stint playing in France with second tier side Auch, the 22-year-old showed enough during his early months to convince head coach Rob Baxter to keep him on board until the end of the current campaign.

Since then, Sexton - the younger brother of Ireland and British Lions fly-half, Jonathan Sexton - has settled well to his new surroundings in the Westcountry and has gone on to feature for the Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership, LV= Cup and A League.

A notable presence in the Exeter engine room, Sexton was part of the Chiefs side that last weekend booked their place in this Sunday's showpiece final by seeing off Leicester Tigers 30-22 at Welford Road.

Last Sunday's victory in the East Midlands not only ensured the Chiefs became the first side to defeat the Tigers in a home semi-final since 1997, but also kept the club firmly on course to become the first team to defend the Anglo-Welsh crown.

Twelve months ago the Chiefs overcame Northampton Saints 15-8 on their own Sandy Park turf to lift the LV= Cup for the first time - and Sexton says he and his team-mates are determined to repeat the feat against Sarries.

"We're all really looking forward to it," said the former Leinster Academy forward. "It's going to be my first real big game in my professional career, so it's a dream to have come so far in such a short space of time. To be featuring in the LV= Cup Final, I'd never have thought I would have got this opportunity when I first came to the club, so I'm grateful to everyone here for helping me as much as they have."

Certainly Sexton has demonstrated to the Chiefs coaching team that he is a player with a huge amount of potential - and over recent weeks he has underlined his talent with some creditable on-field displays.

Now the former Ireland Under-20s ace is hoping to kick on further in a bid to earn himself an extended stay at Sandy Park.

"I love life here at the Chiefs," he said. "It's a great place to come and work and everyone here enjoys coming in every day. There is a real togetherness within the squad and I think that shows when we go out onto the pitch.

"For me, personally, I just want to play as much as I can. Playing in the A League, the LV and also getting a go in the Premiership, it's been great for me. Hopefully, I'll get more chances between now and the end of the season to impress and hopefully get a contract for next season."

To earn that prize, however, the young Irishman knows he and his fellow Chiefs must deliver on the big stage, starting with Sunday's encounter against Saracens."We've played them a few times this season, so we know what they are all about," he warned. "They are a great team who are always playing in finals and always competing for stuff, so it would be great if we could get a win against them.

"It will be tough, but so was last week at Leicester. I'm not sure many expected us to go up there and win, just because it's such a tough place to go, but there was a belief in the squad that we could bring a physicality to the game and beat them up front - and that was what we did in the end.

"Sunday, I know, we will have to do the same, if not more, so it's a big challenge for all of us."