\IRFU Defend Decision to Select Sexton

The IRFU have vehemently slammed suggestions that their decision to select Jonathan Sexton in the Irish team to play France this evening could prove a “massive mistake”.

Sexton, who suffered a concussion after clashing heads with his Irish team mate Rob Kearney in Ireland’s November series victory over Australia, has been rested for twelve weeks and, despite this, Former France international Laurent Benezech has criticized Ireland’s decision to pick the Racing Metro fly half.

In an abrupt response to Benezech’s claim, the IRFU highlighted the centrality of player welfare to the Union and furthered by stating Benezech’s claims were a “disappointing and inaccurate commentary”

Indeed, to further highlight the precautions taken by the IRFU regarding Sexton’s well being, the statement claimed that the former Leinster fly half could have played for Ireland last weekend against Italy.

“Player welfare is the primary concern of the Ireland medical and management team,” read the IRFU statement.

“All of the medical experts directly involved in the management of Johnny Sexton are satisfied that he is fit to return to the field of play.”

Source: Irish Examiner

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After weeks of conjecture, it was today confirmed that Jonathan Sexton will return to his former club, Leinster, at the end of the current campaign.

After a year in France with Racing Metro, Sexton has decided the time was right for a return home and the news will surely delight both Michael O’Connor and Joe Schmidt, his coaches at Leinster and Ireland respectively, as well as the Irish Rugby Football Union who will be delighted that one of their most prized assets will be under their watch in the build up to the Rugby World Cup.

The news was broken by the Irish Independents Rugby correspondent, Ruaidhri O’Connor, and was soon followed by a statement from the Irishman’s current club, Racing Metro’s president, Jackie Lorenzetti.

Rumours were abound that Sexton was the subject of a mouth watering lucrative contract offer from Toulon, but, unusually, the French giants haven’t gotten their man.

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According to reports in this morning’s Irish Independent, Lions and Irish fly half Jonathan Sexton will return to Leinster Rugby on a four year deal from next season.

Given that Sexton has opted for a return to Leinster Blue represents a significant coup for the RDS based side, given Racing  Metro’s intent to renew his current deal and mooted interest from Toulon who were supposedly keen on offering the Irishman a €900,000 per-annum contract to replace English legend Jonny Wilkinson.

Naturally, Irish coach Joe Schmidt, who knows Sexton from their time together at Leinster and, indeed, Ireland, will be delighted at the impending return of the fly half. Sexton returning to Ireland, means he will be an IRFU employee and will be part of the Irish Player management scheme, which should see him rested and primed in advance of the 2015 World Cup.

The French Top 14 is a grueling schedule and had Sexton remained at Racing he wouldn’t be afforded the same rest and recuperation periods that Irish international players receive as part of their contracts.

Sexton signed a two year contract with the Parisians in 2013 with an option of a third year after protracted negotiations with the IRFU broke down.

Together, Schmidt and Sexton have won several trophies at both Leinster and Ireland, and both men will hope that their partnership bares even more fruit from 2015 onwards.

Article Source: Irish Independent

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Metro-Racing have been the inform team in during the second half of the Top14 season, and everything was on track for a home final until they were on the wrong end of a 44-10 thrashing in Montpellier.

Since then, the pressure has been on ahead of their away game to Toulouse. At training on Tuesday, the light-hearted camaraderie of recent weeks was replaced by stern faces and an intense workout.

“We’re preparing for a big match in Toulouse and there is obviously a lot of pressure and aggression,” said French international Bernard Le Roux.

During a contact session, Ireland fly-half Sexton reportedly screamed in the ear of Springbok lock Kruger for what he believed to be excessive physicality at a ruck. The former Bulls second row did not appreciate the Irishman’s attitude and the duo had to be separated by their team-mates.

Le Roux said, “We arrived in Montpellier very confident after our five straight wins, but lacked desire and that hiding we got probably did us good.

“We must be more focused and precise this week because we do not want the same game as on Saturday. “

“On Friday, we have to get in their faces,” he shouted at his players.

Centre Henry Chavancy was pleased with the intensity he saw in the session.

“I think if there is no commitment in a finals week, there never will be. “We saw a lot of commitment and desire in this session which is very good.

“We didn’t get it right in Montpellier and we can only blame ourselves. We must double our efforts this week to go to Toulouse and give it all we’ve got.”

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