Rob Kearney: Could follow Jonny Sexton's lead
Ireland full-back Rob Kearney feels Jonathan Sexton's impending move to France could see several fellow internationals following him to the Top 14.
Sexton will leave Leinster at the end of the season after the Irish Rugby Football Union could not match an offer from a top French club, believed to be Racing Metro.
The Leinster pivot is set to join Racing after reportedly accepting a deal worth £640,000 per year.
And Kearney believes if Sexton does well in France several other Irish players might follow his lead.
"That's professional sport, it happens," he said.
"In Ireland we've probably been lucky over the years in that it's only now that a player has left. It will test the waters obviously.
"It could go very badly for him, it's impossible to say. Guys always talk about leaving and threatening to look for new experiences.
"France is one of the new experiences that players will generally pinpoint in looking for a change.
"Jonny's shown a lot of bravery. If it works out really well for him in that he's enjoying life and playing good rugby while earning more money, people will see that and it will open up a whole new ball park."
It was reported that Sexton was disappointed not to have been offered parity with Ireland's new skipper Jamie Heaslip.
"Jonny was upset by the whole thing, there's no point lying about it," revealed Kearney.
"He will probably tell you that he wanted to stay.
"It's unfortunate that whatever way the negotiations went on, he probably wanted to stay and play his rugby in Ireland.
"But you can't always get what you want."
Comments
liam2me says...
'It was reported that Sexton was disappointed not to have been offered parity with Ireland's new skipper Jamie Heaslip.'
If true, points to nothing more then greed. Leave him go, Ireland doesn't need mercenaries like other countries
Posted 19:25 28th January 2013
paddy91317 says...
Tut tut tut irfu should have got there finger out of there hole on sextons contract
Posted 18:53 28th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Why would the IRFU choose to treat Heaslip well over Sexton? Especially when there are other quality 8's snapping at his heels like Wilson and O'Brien can play 8 with Ferris at 6 (or the other way around) both of which are better options than Heaslip has been for ireland during the last 3 years...anyway Phoar, I certainly wouldn't turn down over half a million a year to play in France either Jonny so I don't think I'll be judgmental about your move...at the moment I don't think any of the other Irish backs are really top 14 big signing material (except BOD but he'll be a Leinsterman until he retires or so I suspect) and there's no lack of quality forwards in any french side for them to require Irish imports especially when they can poach more physical pacific islanders and small (in rugby terms) nation's forwards (like romania) without the huge price tag that comes with the likes of O'Brien.
Posted 18:32 28th January 2013
TVaddict says...
Sexton was offered less than Heaslip?! As in Sexton was offered less money for the amount he brings to the team compared to the amount Heaslip brings to the team? I know you guys have been bad with money over the last few years but valuing Heaslip higher than Sexton is like valuing Greece's economy over Germany's! Can anyone tell me if they have ever, over the last two years, been even slightly worried by the sight of Heaslips name on an opposition team sheet? Heaslip is the Toby Flood of the 8 shirt, does everything to an ok standard but won't win you games and only just passes at international level.
Oh well, I wonder what other players are pi$$ed that they're getting paid less than Heaslip? Maybe the whole Leinster team is going to move to France?
Posted 18:18 28th January 2013
leinster_goy says...
Robbo is about to enter into his own negotiations with the IRFUSSR. he's just stirring it up
Posted 18:06 28th January 2013