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
papachinzo says...
NOOOOooooooo... Ah well, Leinster got the best of him. I doubt he'll play as hard for a foreign club !!
"The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards" It must have been around the seven digit mark !?
Posted 13:29 25th January 2013
jockstrap says...
What a fool, I for one hope he doesn't get selected for the International team until he returns to Ireland. He needs to be made an example of lest he opens the floodgates for our talent to go overseas. Look what's happened in Wales. We need to nip this in the bud now. If you leave Ireland or the PRO12 countries your Ireland international career should be over. I say this as a Leinster fan.
Posted 13:29 25th January 2013
markpat says...
Does he still qualify for selection by Ireland or are they sensible enough to pick players, regardless of where they play their rugby?
Posted 13:27 25th January 2013
TVaddict says...
Ha! What a curve ball! Didn't see that one happening!
Posted 13:25 25th January 2013