Leinster very interested in Sexton return
Leinster Rugby have said the door will always be open to Jonathan Sexton if he wanted to return to the province.
Reports over the last 24 hours suggested the Racing Metro outhalf is weighing up his options about his future, having moved to the French Top 14 club ahead of the 2013-14 season on a two year deal with the option of a third.
Sexton recently hinted to the Irish Times that he was close to making up his mind pointing out that recently becoming a father to a baby boy being a real challenge for him living abroad.
Speaking today at a ‘meet the coaches’ press day, in Tallaght, Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor said he won’t rule out signing Sexton.
O’Connor said: “Johnny is off contract at the end of this season and it is common knowledge that we would be very interested in having a conversation with him and we will be having that hopefully in the next few weeks.”
Sexton’s return to where he won three Heineken Cup winners medals would all be down to the IRFU’s buying power, which will need to be stronger than anyone else who may seek the Irish outhalf.
O’Connor though believes with the 2015 Rugby World Cup around the corner the union may go all out to get Sexton back.
“There’s bits and pieces to be sorted, we can only drive it as hard as we can from our end and I’m sure the union would be leading into a World Cup very optimistic that Johnny would come back and be available for all things that go with a World Cup.”
Leinster Rugby CEO Mick Dawson echoed O’Connor’s hopes that Sexton would come home.
He said: “I don’t think it’s a secret that ourselves and the IRFU would love to have Johnny back. I also think it’s not a secret that Johnny would like to come back as well.”
“We just have to see over the next few weeks or months what way the ball bounces in whether he extends his contract there or not,” Dawson added.
