MAGNERS LEAGUE:IT'S BECOME a familiar enquiry for Jonathan Sexton yet he still struggles to articulate precisely the influence that Felipe Contepomi has had on his career. Sure, he can offer instances of support and advice, but the young Leinster outhalf can not synopsize the impact that the Argentine has on him as a player.
Sexton admitted: "I get asked about him a lot and because of that after I've tried to answer the question and because I know it'll come up again, I say to myself, 'I must spend some time thinking about just how much his influence Felipe's had in concrete terms'.
"I'd still struggle to answer. I can tell you he's helped me so much, that he talks to me before and during matches and is hugely supportive. But he wouldn't impose himself, doesn't demand that you listen to him. When he plays centre and I'm outhalf he encourages me to run the game myself.
"He gives his opinion which I value hugely and he's brilliant to play with but at the same time he encourages you to develop, take responsibility.
"I learn from watching him, train and play. When I broke my thumb at the time of the Six Nations Felipe and Gordon D'Arcy were the first two people to ring me the next day. That's the type of people they are and it's something I'll never forget. Felipe told me to use my time wisely, get a rest but at the same time not to stop working on certain aspects of my game."
Sexton's high quality performance in all facets of the game against Munster and that of the Leinster pack earned plaudits but it was Contepomi's accuracy with the placed ball - six from eight attempts - in difficult conditions that underpinned the home team's efforts, rewarding his team-mates efforts on the scoreboard.
It's been a consistent tale this season in the Magners League.
Contepomi has kicked 41 of 53 attempts at goal for a total of 107 points and second place in the points-scoring standings. He boasts a success rate of just over 77 per cent, which is appreciably better than those players who have undertaken a similar number of kicks.
The two misses in the Munster match were both long range when only one of those that he got could be considered straight forward. Not often, but on a few occasions this season, Contepomi's role in victory has been hidden under the bushel of a Leinster victory: not that he'd complain.
It's not just his team-mates that appreciate the influence the Argentine has over Leinster performances. Edinburgh outhalf Phil Godman has played against Contepomi enough times to evaluate his opponent's qualities.
Leinster travel to face the Scottish side at Murrayfield on Friday night.
Godman offered an interesting opinion on the topic: "It should be a good match-up. I enjoy playing against Contepomi; we are slightly similar players. He is a class act and he can produce something out of nothing. When he is on form he is hard to stop. He is one of the best around, so we need to stop him playing on Friday night.
"Our defence was fantastic during the win against Leinster in the Heineken Cup and we need to get back to that, especially after our last two performances. That was a brilliant display and we will need to replicate that because they have got some world-class players in their team. We will have to step up and put pressure on them."
Contepomi's role for Friday night could be defined by the fitness of team captain Brian O'Driscoll. The Argentinian, along with Sexton (outhalf) and Luke Fitzgerald formed a well balanced midfield trio and one that could remain intact when the team is confirmed by coach Michael Cheika on Thursday afternoon. An extended squad will be announced today.
Away from the immediate demands of the Magners League Leinster are also putting in place playing and coaching squads for next season. One player with whom they are believed to be in negotiation with is South African tighthead prop CJ van der Linde, who played such a central role in the Springbok's World Cup success.
The Irish province is likely to confirm any incoming players as well as the position of assistant coach in one tranche before the season ends.
Connacht and Ulster are also in action this weekend with the former travelling to face the Dragons as the bottom two teams in the division clash on Friday night while the northern province also make the trip to Wales to take on second placed Cardiff on Saturday evening.
