Leaving: Jonathan Sexton
Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton will leave Leinster at the end of the season, with Racing Métro his reported destination.
The in-form playmaker's future was confirmed on Friday in what is a shock move from the Irish international and probable B&I Lions starter.
"The Irish Rugby Football Union has been informed that Johnny Sexton will not be renewing his contract to remain playing full time in Ireland from the end of this season," said a statement from the IRFU.
"We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Johnny Sexton will not be playing his rugby full time in Ireland from next season," said IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne.
"Johnny is a major talent and his full time presence in Ireland will be missed, particularly by Leinster.
"We wish Johnny continued success with his career and he will receive all the support he needs over the next number of weeks in what we know was a very difficult decision for him.
"While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player's agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.
"The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland. However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.
"While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed, together with the provinces, to maintaining its programme of nurturing and retaining Irish rugby talent. We feel that the benefits of the careful and considered management of those players will allow us to maintain this policy."
Leinster coach Joe Schmidt added: "Naturally, I'm disappointed."
"I've really enjoyed Johnny's input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field. The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him."
Comments
Sincero says...
new_j4a says...
@sincero, please can you share your view (with as much detail as you can manage on the pain this is causing you)?
Certainly can, my sheep-bothering yokel friend.
We owe Sexton everything, he owes us nothing. He's decided to challenge himself in a different environment after so much success with Leinster, and bloody good luck to him.
If you weren't entirely ignorant on, well all topics really, not just rugby, you'd know we have an amazingly talented out-half in Mad Dog who is developing nicely. Being behind Sexton at Leinster he could never have realised his potential, so it's good news for Sexton and for Mad Dog.
Hard luck, Cletus. Now strum your out-of-tune banjo and look sad. :-'(
Posted 18:39 25th January 2013
ciaran1792 says...
I hope he is dropped from the Irish team. I am a fan but if you don't play here in Ireland then you don't play for Ireland. Watch Kidney will play him are plenty of good fly half's JJ Hanarhan,Paddy Jackson,Ian Madigan, Ian Keatley were all good in the fly half department they are a little green but a little bit of test experience and they will be fine.
Posted 18:35 25th January 2013
Dannyboy says...
Not the end of the world, step up Ian Madigan.
What I don't like is the IRFU treating our top players shitty by dragging out contract negotiations. The IRFU needs a big shake up, from dodgy ticketing to a completely opaque administration, it seems we still haven't fully embraced professionalism or the modern game.
Posted 18:21 25th January 2013
Theshaw says...
@ Spartacus Who exactly would this young French person be? Idiot you are sir
Posted 18:17 25th January 2013
PatrickH says...
@ scrumdog,
salary cap, bad idea.. financial fair play rules might be more fitting.
@ shrimps,
Agree totally about the potential positives. And if ROG would only feck off to Japan or somewhere we'd have four very good 10's playing Heineken Cup year in year out and giving the Irish management a few headaches in that position!
Anyway, it says in the article "following negotiations with the player's agent, we had no option" since when have agents had the final say on where a player plays? My guess is the IRFU are playing it Fergie style.
Posted 17:51 25th January 2013
KevRadstock says...
@ Spartacus
I agree with you there.
Posted 17:33 25th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I'm surprised that the IRFU let this happen. Exactly how much cash is Racing throwing at Sexton? This is huge. I wonder what Kidney will do.
Posted 17:23 25th January 2013
SUFTUM says...
Bad for Ireland and Leinster. If Leinster need a new out half, we've got Niall O'Connor going spare up here at Ulster haha
Posted 17:02 25th January 2013
melkdave says...
Have to say im bit surprised as other posters are.But then its a profesional bussness these days ,and money talks.Also for those having ago at Sexton,how may of you would stay with your present employer,if you where offered 2-3 times what your earning now for doing the same job??? THOUGHT SO NONE OF YOU
Posted 16:56 25th January 2013
Dougie says...
seapointer, do you honestly think he'd be moving over there if he was paying 75% on his wages? That tax rate is for people earning over 1 million.
Posted 15:56 25th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Sorry.....every week.
Posted 15:54 25th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Now madigan will get some serious game time the only thing keepin jackson ahead of him was game time imo, not the end of the world having keatley,madigan,jackson,sexton all playing top flight rugby every year.
Posted 15:53 25th January 2013
shrimps says...
@ Theshaw
really? that will be fantastic, neutral or otherwise. every nh rugby fan and plenty of sh fans know how integral sexton is, both in his play and his attitude, to his club. probably the most integral individual to any pro rugby team in the world. it'll be great to see him going against.
Posted 15:52 25th January 2013
froggy73 says...
@seapointer: the 75% tax won't happen. The project (as it still had to be approved by the French Deputees) has been dumped yesterday by the Government.
Posted 15:47 25th January 2013
GCP_jones says...
@ seapointer...
That conveyor belt has been been stuttering in recent years from about 05 to 09 the leinster academy was churning out players on a seasonal basis that were good enough to play on the test team.
However with the exception of Madigan and maybe D Kearney there have'nt really been any in the last couple of seasons?.
Posted 15:42 25th January 2013
heathy says...
Oh dear. We all thought he was bluffing but in fairness some of the posters are right as the IRU have been messing about with this for some time. The IRU CAN match what he has been offered but won't and quite rightly so at this stage as where does it stop? There is a lot of sorting out to be done by the likes of the IRU, the WRU and even the RFU (although the RFU are a bit further down the road on this). Right now the French clubs' sugar daddies are making it such that there is a lot more cash about and no caps. If I was French then I would be concerned as too many imports mean that not enough French talent gets a chance. Look at football¿s Premier League and the England side. It has an effect. The salary will not be £750k pa or anywhere near but it could be around £400-450k which will be tempting for anybody in rugby circles. What we have all got to understand is that a professional sports career is short and a player needs to do the best they can. Loyalty is one thing but financial matters also need to be considered. You just can't blame the player and it is very naive to do so (jockstrap!!! - WTF are you talking about?? You're the fool). He has won everything with Leinster and this is a new challenge. Yes, he can continue to play for Ireland and so he should. Don¿t cut off ones nose to spite your face. This situation will happen more unless something specific is done with all European (or even worldwide) clubs. Jonny Sexton has been loyal and this decision would not have been taken lightly but don't crucify him. Put yourself in his shoes and what would you do (honestly!)? You can't demand loyalty no matter what just because you don't like it. The world is not like that and most posters on here that think differently would not be that loyal if it came down to their own situation. Be gracious and let him go with good wishes.
Posted 15:39 25th January 2013
Theshaw says...
Also!! Leinster and racing in the same group next year!! Bring it on /-))))
Posted 15:06 25th January 2013
Theshaw says...
HUGE leinster fan and love Johnny!!' BUT hope he gets droped from Ireland after 6 nations to set example!!!
Dam it tho this is going to take over rugby in he next few years me thinks
Posted 15:05 25th January 2013
seapointer says...
leinster will suvive and madigan will thrive ----all the best enjoy the 75% tax rate over there ----- plenty more talent on the leinster conveyor belt
Posted 14:58 25th January 2013
Spartacus says...
Racing would do far better to get in a promising French youngster rather than an average Irish flyhalf.
Posted 14:40 25th January 2013