The Irish Times Johnny Watterson talks to Leinster's Jonathan Sexton about how much has changed since he replaced Felipe Contepomi late in the 2009 Heineken campaign.
"Brought into the Leinster team at the semi-final stage after Felipe Contepomi had spannered his knee, Sexton was the 23-year-old rookie who carried the freight of great promise but little weight of experience or guile for a European final. That they were facing Leicester, proven dogs of war around Europe, drew the image of Sexton the gladiator rising up from the bowels in the lift to the Coliseum, the gates bursting open to be faced by a guy with half an ear and swinging a spiked iron ball at his head.
"As if Hollywood had a hand here too, Sexton’s contribution was bookended by insouciantly kicking a spectacular drop goal from the halfway line as well the winning penalty. No mistakes.
"This week he remains the same unflappable figure. But in two years he has advanced aeons and is central to Leinster’s cause. Coaches and players now demand from him. They expect him to control tempo, kick territory, bang over the points, lots of points. Sexton’s dynamic with the team has drastically changed."
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