IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt has declared ‘it would be great to have Jonathan Sexton back in the country’. Schmidt was speaking at a post-Six Nations media briefing at the Aviva Stadium this morning and raised the spectre of Sexton returning to Ireland next season.
Sexton, speaking on 2FM’s Game On last night, appeared to put an end to the speculation once and for all as, addressing the speculation of a summer move, he declared. “That’s not going to happen.”
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Schmidt, while reopening the debate somewhat, believes Sexton’s integrity will see him remain in Paris for at least another season. “One of the problems with that,” said Schmidt, “is that Jonny is pretty much a man of his word. He’s committed to Racing and it would be really hard to see him coming out of there.”
The New Zealander added, “If there was a chance [of a return], I’d be delighted.”
Sexton and Schmidt discuss tactics in training. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Schmidt added that he has spoken with Racing coach Laurent Labit about engendering a closer working relationship next season. Game management for the out-half, who had two and a half weeks off [including a wedding and honeymoon] after the Lions Tour, is key.
“Jonny playing 13 games in 12 weeks at the start of the season was not Racing Métro’s intent,” said Schmidt. “They have the same priority as us in making sure Jonny is well looked after.”
“Unless Racing were very interested in the idea [of letting him go]… I’m not sure how they would be. They’ve been very happy with Jonny and he’s done a good job for them.”
I think Sextons move to France has been good for Irish rugby. The likes of Heaslip, O’Brien, O’Connell and Murray have take one look at what happened him and signed Irish contracts.
Right I’m a Leinster fan and I love Sexton, il always defend him when abused. But he really does need to sort the goal kicking out. The frustrating thing is Iv seen him kick flawlessly on many occasion so we know he has it in him.
Anyone notice the kick against All Blacks, England, and the two against France, not just all high pressure but from the same place roughly, a bit to the right and a bit behind 22.
With the money he’s earning over there he’s likely to have paid someone else to kick him! I think the media and the fans have built it up more than it is, since he’s left he’s had a tough schedule but he’s enjoying life as the highest earning player in France and living in one of the most amazing cities in the world. it’s not as bad as it’s being made out to be.
He may miss if he attempted to kick himself. But seriously, the guy is pure class and his kicking stats will improve over the next few years. Ireland need a backup kicker that can kick when sexton is troubled. All the other teams do. McFadden is an option. IMO Rob Kearney needs to be the Francois steyn if Ireland. Needs to be able to place kick 55m plus.
I didn’t say a word about Munster players. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Madigan. I’m not trying to take anything away from sexton but if he is going to be run into the ground in France we need to have faith in someone else.
The provincial moan is all that comes out of your mouth along with two others on this site. If you had listened to the interview you would know how tiny a part of the interview it was and has been slightly twisted by The Score to get hits.
Be happy we have finally put the consistency issue to bed and found a winning mentality. Let Joe experiment now that he has a solid foundation and as Easterby said the Leinster lads had a good head start with Joe.
You and leamy should just quit. An honest coach has come in, and shown his intentions to include anyone who is doing the business. What exactly have Munster won/ proved over the last 5 years now? When they do the business again, they will represent, and the country should then get behind the team as per usual…
Schmidt just can’t seem to see past Sexton as was clear from Jackson being excluded. By all means play Sexton but we need a dedicated replacement No. 10 on the bench and the sooner he makes up his mind who that is and starts their development in the Irish squad the better. Sexton left 5 soft points behind him on Saturday in game that was always going to be decided on the smallest of margins which is why I some times wonder if Sexton is almost a more natural centre than a fly half, he knows how to find the try line, tackles well and can distribute the ball under pressure, but it’s his kicking game that remains the problem, both place kicking and trying to gain territory….kind of crucial for a 10. A number of his kicks against France had so much weight that Usain Bolt wouldn’t have got on the end of them never mind Trimble or Kearney.
Agreed, this back line proved that they do not yet have the skill set for line speed defense. The England game required more accurate kicking and with PJ warming the bench when arguably he should have been on is proof of just how Schmidt could not see past a player having a difficult game.
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I think Sextons move to France has been good for Irish rugby. The likes of Heaslip, O’Brien, O’Connell and Murray have take one look at what happened him and signed Irish contracts.
Right I’m a Leinster fan and I love Sexton, il always defend him when abused. But he really does need to sort the goal kicking out. The frustrating thing is Iv seen him kick flawlessly on many occasion so we know he has it in him.
Anyone notice the kick against All Blacks, England, and the two against France, not just all high pressure but from the same place roughly, a bit to the right and a bit behind 22.
Only a matter of time. I’d say Johnny is kicking himself since he left
With the money he’s earning over there he’s likely to have paid someone else to kick him! I think the media and the fans have built it up more than it is, since he’s left he’s had a tough schedule but he’s enjoying life as the highest earning player in France and living in one of the most amazing cities in the world. it’s not as bad as it’s being made out to be.
He may miss if he attempted to kick himself. But seriously, the guy is pure class and his kicking stats will improve over the next few years. Ireland need a backup kicker that can kick when sexton is troubled. All the other teams do. McFadden is an option. IMO Rob Kearney needs to be the Francois steyn if Ireland. Needs to be able to place kick 55m plus.
He may aswell kick himself because lately he can’t kick a ball
He’s kicking is atrocious lately..
His
Maybe he’ll come back to Munster.
I think Sexton as a player has improved since he moved to France, must be O’Gara’s training !
My commiserations on your supporting Munster, Audrey.
This could be construed as either being overly supportive of Munster, or not. You know..
Sexton left 5 behind but he also scored 17 out of 22 let us try and remember that
Would it not be better for Schmidt to show a bit more interest in the talent that is actually in the country.
Go away Ken. A small comment from a long interview. Keep up the good work in painting all the Munster fans with the one disgruntled and smelly brush.
I didn’t say a word about Munster players. I was actually thinking more along the lines of Madigan. I’m not trying to take anything away from sexton but if he is going to be run into the ground in France we need to have faith in someone else.
The provincial moan is all that comes out of your mouth along with two others on this site. If you had listened to the interview you would know how tiny a part of the interview it was and has been slightly twisted by The Score to get hits.
Be happy we have finally put the consistency issue to bed and found a winning mentality. Let Joe experiment now that he has a solid foundation and as Easterby said the Leinster lads had a good head start with Joe.
IDIOT
You and leamy should just quit. An honest coach has come in, and shown his intentions to include anyone who is doing the business. What exactly have Munster won/ proved over the last 5 years now? When they do the business again, they will represent, and the country should then get behind the team as per usual…
Schmidt just can’t seem to see past Sexton as was clear from Jackson being excluded. By all means play Sexton but we need a dedicated replacement No. 10 on the bench and the sooner he makes up his mind who that is and starts their development in the Irish squad the better. Sexton left 5 soft points behind him on Saturday in game that was always going to be decided on the smallest of margins which is why I some times wonder if Sexton is almost a more natural centre than a fly half, he knows how to find the try line, tackles well and can distribute the ball under pressure, but it’s his kicking game that remains the problem, both place kicking and trying to gain territory….kind of crucial for a 10. A number of his kicks against France had so much weight that Usain Bolt wouldn’t have got on the end of them never mind Trimble or Kearney.
Agreed, this back line proved that they do not yet have the skill set for line speed defense. The England game required more accurate kicking and with PJ warming the bench when arguably he should have been on is proof of just how Schmidt could not see past a player having a difficult game.
JJ Hanrahan
Rising star sand has all the bases to be serious operator.