Ireland and Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been linked with a move to Racing Métro, according to reports in France.
Sexton has allegedly met twice with millionaire Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti, whilst Midi Olympique claim a deal could be concluded before the start of the Six Nations.
The 27-year-old's current deal with Leinster expires in June and having won three Heineken Cup titles in the last four years with the Irish side, Sexton is likely to receive plenty of interest from other clubs over the coming months.
One of the frontrunners for the Lions fly-half shirt for their upcoming tour of Australia, a shaky performance from Juan Martin Hernandez in Racing's loss to Saracens in the Heineken Cup underlined the French side's need for a more clinical edge, with Sexton certainly fitting the bill.
Racing have already signed up Juandre Kruger, Marc Andreu and Brian Mujati ahead of next season with Soane Tonga'uiha, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate and more linked with the club.
Comments
makemehappy says...
@daveboy - Carter, Cruden and Barrett in NZ and Goosen in SA. Carter is clearly as good as anyone has seen. Cruden is clearly a level up from Sexton. The other two have been hugely impressive at all levels, though inexperienced. I would choose them over Sexton. Just my opinion.
Posted 17:11 14th January 2013
daveyboyo says...
@ makesmehappy, are you talking about cruden, barrett and anscombe in NZ? and Maybe Goosen and Steyn in SA? Cruden and Barret have one good season for their respective hurricans and highlanders, and anscombe couldnt make the blues shirt his own this year on a poor performing tear. Steyn has a huge boost and a poor running/passing game, and goosen has proven nothing for the cheetahs yet.
Sexton has 30+ caps, a 6 nations grand slam, and has won 3 Heineken cups... The final against northampton was the 2nd best game ive seen a flyhalf play (Carter against the Lions in 05 gets that nod...)
Posted 15:47 14th January 2013
DrDeath says...
Clear contract wrangle as per BOD & Biarritz a few years ago.
No chance of him leaving Leinster at all!! Bit rude to Racing though!
Posted 15:32 14th January 2013
HC_IRL6 says...
Doubt he'll move, most likely a ploy to get a better contract which he probably deserves on current form. Smart move, definitely one of the top 3 10s in the world, nowhere near carter but then again, nobody is.
Posted 13:40 14th January 2013
makemehappy says...
At best he's around 5th or 6th best outside half. Three clearly better in NZ. One in SA.
Posted 13:10 14th January 2013
Tvaddict says...
@leinster_goy
Although I wouldn't agree that Sexton is close to Carter I do agree that Sexton is the second best fly-half in the world at the moment.
Posted 12:33 14th January 2013
DaveJ says...
rugby_rockstar he won't leave and you making out that one player is the root of a teams European dominance is ridiculous.
Posted 12:29 14th January 2013
APV1 says...
leinster_goy - "...Sexto is fast approaching carter as best in the world"
Ha-ha-ha. Brilliant. I need a laugh to liven up this snowy / sleety Monday. Ha-ha-ha!
Posted 12:29 14th January 2013
leinster_goy says...
*correction: 2 years ago
Posted 12:00 14th January 2013
leinster_goy says...
people always laugh at me when i say that Sexto is fast approaching carter as best in the world - it would appear that racing metro agree with me. certainly if i was a french sugar daddy with more money than sense and looking for a world class outhalf, Sexton would be, at the very least, the second name on my wishlist
but of course, this is just Sexyboy driving a hard bargain in ongoing contract negotiations with the IRFU. if i recall rightly he did exactly this 3 years ago in the last round of negotiations. and with good reason. the IRFU know very well that they can't lose this guy
Posted 11:21 14th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
The IRU will be spitting nails!
Wonder what Leinster will do losing such a key player. Ah well yet another reason why there's absolutley no reason to change the euro cup format. The english and French clubs must appreciate the this move will curtail Leinster's european dominance.
As for France, their metamorphosis into the english football premiereship is complete. Which also means their national team is well and truely b0ll0cked, which is fine by me :)
Posted 11:11 14th January 2013
BackingLeinster says...
The IRFU will not allow Sexton to leave. They can offer him a very lucrative contract, add in the tax break and they can easily beat what's on offer in France. O'Driscoll did the same thing of meeting with French clubs a few years back before he negotiated his new contract. His agent its just working as hard as possible to get him the most money.
Posted 11:06 14th January 2013