Sexton, will go to France

Jonny Sexton has decided to continue his career on French soil with the financially, well-endowed club, Racing Metro.

The Leinster out half won three European Champion medals with the club over the last four years and has enjoyed the nurturing of Brian O’Driscol and Isaac Boss either side of him.

Following an outstanding performance for St. Marys’ College Dublin in the final of the Leinster Cup, Sexton was head hunted and offered a contract with the province making his debut against Border Reivers in 2006. The Dubliner has since gone on to be spoken of in the same category as the All Black great Dan Carter.

A number of weeks ago rumors started hitting twitter about a proposed deal involving Dan Carter coming to Racing Metro, and now that the French side has sealed Sexton it shows the regard in which the Irishman is held.

Sexton will finish out the season with Leinster and begin playing in France in August. He will still represent Ireland at international level and is the favorite in line to take up the ‘10 shirt’ on the Lions tour to Australia this summer.

Disappointed;

Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive, said: "We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Jonathan Sexton will not be playing his rugby full-time in Ireland from next season.”

"Johnny is a major talent and his full-time presence in Ireland will be missed, particularly by Leinster.”

While Mr. Browne did say they “Remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment,” the IRFU where outmuscled financially by the French Club.

Exceptional;

Leinster Head Coach Joe Schmidt also expressed his sorrow at Jonnys’ departure but was amazed by the offer laid before him by Racing Metro.

"The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him."

Gone but not forgotten;

The management of the IRFU fully intends to continue developing Jonny as an Irish international player.

"While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed to maintaining its program 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."

"Though we have been largely successful in keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which are not within our orbit.”

"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.