Jonny Sexton leaving Leinster *mod warning post 1*

totallegend

Fishooks13 wrote: »

It's not that the IRFU were being mean. But they simply can't afford to play hard ball with the French clubs

Since the IRFU, in their infinite and foot-shooting stupidity, have decided that the national team is the be-all and end-all of rugby, this is a GREAT outcome for them.

The highest-paid player in Irish rugby is now off the payroll, having been developed by Leinster into the best out-half in Europe, but they will still be able to call on him for the national side but at a fraction of the cost. Meanwhile, they get to see if Ian Madigan can also develop into an international OH.

Jonny gets a bump in pay and a couple of years living in Paris.

The only losers here are Leinster and their fans.

F**k you, IRFU.

Fishooks13

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2013/0125/1224329278106.html Confirmed

Mod Edit - This isn't a confirmation, this is the IT saying that he is believed to have signed

justsomebloke

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Thats why Conway is going to Munster. Its a swap with Hanrahan;)

The only thing that could make Sexton decision worse is if we start hearing of Leinster players swapping with Ulster

justsomebloke

Fishooks13 wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2013/0125/1224329278106.html Confirmed

That isn't a confirmed source yet

totallegend

justsomebloke wrote: »

That isn't a confirmed source yet

+1; first line is "Jonny Sexton is believed to have signed..."

ssaye

totallegend wrote: »

Since the IRFU, in their infinite and foot-shooting stupidity, have decided that the national team is the be-all and end-all of rugby, this is a GREAT outcome for them.

The highest-paid player in Irish rugby is now off the payroll, having been developed by Leinster into the best out-half in Europe, but will still be able to call on him for the national side but at a fraction of the cost. Meanwhile, they get to see if Ian Madigan can also develop into an international OH.

Jonny gets a bump in pay and a couple of years living in Paris.

The only losers here are Leinster and their fans.

F**k you, IRFU.

Just read that thinking
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY,MONEY....MONAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

Spot on

Otacon

Fishooks13 wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2013/0125/1224329278106.html Confirmed

Ireland and Leinster outhalf Jonathan Sexton is believed to have signed a two-year contract with French side Racing Metro this morning having turned down a final offer from the IRFU.

Not confirmed yet.

Micky Dolenz

The squad is bigger then one player. I think he is making a good move. It'll do his pocket and his skill level the power of good.

ScissorPaperRock

totallegend wrote: »

Since the IRFU, in their infinite and foot-shooting stupidity, have decided that the national team is the be-all and end-all of rugby, this is a GREAT outcome for them.

The highest-paid player in Irish rugby is now off the payroll, having been developed by Leinster into the best out-half in Europe, but they will still be able to call on him for the national side but at a fraction of the cost. Meanwhile, they get to see if Ian Madigan can also develop into an international OH.

Jonny gets a bump in pay and a couple of years living in Paris.

The only losers here are Leinster and their fans.

F**k you, IRFU.

If they can't afford him they can't afford him. However unfortunate.

Fishooks13

justsomebloke wrote: »

That isn't a confirmed source yet

totallegend wrote: »

+1; first line is "Jonny Sexton is believed to have signed..."

It wouldn't be on the IT's if they weren't 100 per cent

They're just waiting for the IRFU statement

totallegend

Confirmed

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28190.php

The Irish Rugby Football Union has been informed that Johnny Sexton will not be renewing his contract to remain playing full time in Ireland from the end of this season.






Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive said: "We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Johnny 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.
"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.

"While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player's agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.

"The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland. However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.

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

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said, "Naturally, I'm disappointed. I've really enjoyed Johnny's input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field. The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him."

GerM

phog wrote: »

He'll be a huge loss to Leinster but I really dont think it's a devastating as some here seem to think. Some here thinking that Leinster won't qualify for the knock-out games and particular the final of the H/cup, cant see it having that much impact, ok, would Leinster have beaten Saints in Cardiff without him, maybe not but then there are teams getting to finals every year with a squad a lot weaker than Leinster.

If he goes then I wish him the best of luck, he truely deserves it.

Leinster wouldn't have been in Cardiff without him let alone win there. The same is true last year. They wouldn't have beaten Clermont. They wouldn't have won away in Glasgow where they left him on the field on one leg.

Sexton is by far the most important player in Leinster. Madigan has been steadily improving. I hope he's ready to step up but if Sexton leaves, Leinster will cease to be strong contenders for the HEC overnight.

Fishooks13

Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive said: “We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Johnny 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. 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.

“While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player’s agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.

“The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland. However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.

“While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed, together with the provinces, to maintaining its programme 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."

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said, “Naturally, I’m disappointed. I’ve really enjoyed Johnny’s input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field. The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him.”

IRF statement

P_1

phog wrote: »

So Leinster were allowed to ofer him a contract despite your earlier claim that they couldn't.

Only after the negotiations with the IRFU broke down. That is not a good way of doing business no matter what way you look at it.

Clareman

Either NoC or RoG to Leinster then

danthefan

GerM wrote: »

Leinster wouldn't have been in Cardiff without him let alone win there. The same is true last year. They wouldn't have beaten Clermont. They wouldn't have won away in Glasgow where they left him on the field on one leg.

Sexton is by far the most important player in Leinster. Madigan has been steadily improving. I hope he's ready to step up but if Sexton leaves, Leinster will cease to be strong contenders for the HEC overnight.

His 10/11 season was, imo, as good as any 10 has ever managed in the HEC. Think he was over 90% kicking, scored 5 tries, and created lord knows how many others. Along with being rock solid in defence and just a really high level of general play. Not to mention the final.

Utopia Parkway

evil_seed wrote: »

I don't see what all the fuss is about myself

Well he's the first big Irish player to move to France and usually one going can lead to more going. Just look at the Welsh.

Probably won't hurt the Ireland team too much but not good for the provinces or the Rabo if top players start decamping to France.

P_1

Ok so based on the IRFU's statement the negotiations between them and Sexton have broken down.

Is there anything to stop Leinster from negotiating with Sexton with a view to keeping him?

danthefan

Confirmed!

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28190.php

darragh_haven

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Thats why Conway is going to Munster. Its a swap with Hanrahan;)

No Fecking way!, hands off....:mad:

GerM

Goodnight, sweet prince.

Clareman

P_1 wrote: »

Ok so based on the IRFU's statement the negotiations between them and Sexton have broken down.

Is there anything to stop Leinster from negotiating with Sexton with a view to keeping him?

Leinster wouldn't be allowed offer a player more than a central contract amount, any money they were to pay outside of their normal pay structures would have to be approved by the IRFU.

Fishooks13

Clareman wrote: »

Leinster wouldn't be allowed offer a player more than a central contract amount, any money they were to pay outside of their normal pay structures would have to be approved by the IRFU.

Not to mention that they wouldn't be able to afford it

EmacB

Bad bad news http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/10923.php

Madigan continuing to improve makes it not as bad, but this is still terrible for leinster's trophy chances.

Hoop66

What a bunch of muppets the IRFU are.

ssaye

Fishooks13 wrote: »

Not to mention that they wouldn't be able to afford it

That millionaire might give us a few bob to outbid Toulon or whoever for Dan Carter for 2 years to ease the blow. :pac:

P_1

Clareman wrote: »

Leinster wouldn't be allowed offer a player more than a central contract amount, any money they were to pay outside of their normal pay structures would have to be approved by the IRFU.

I posted this on the Blazers thread:
Look at the deal the FAI negotiated with Trappatoni.

FAI pays half, Denis O'Brien pays the other half.

Now Leinster Rugby have a very good admin team behind the scenes, what's stopping them from working out a similar deal with a wealthy benefactor to outbid Racing Metro?

So Leinster pay 350k, the benefactor pays the other 350k, Sexton gets 700k, Racing have been outbidded and everybody is happy.

tolosenc

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Well he's the first big Irish player to move to France and usually one going can lead to more going. Just look at the Welsh.

Probably won't hurt the Ireland team too much but not good for the provinces or the Rabo if top players start decamping to France.

French clubs were already sniffing around Zebo. Now, when his contract is coming to an end in another year's time, hill just ring his mate Jonny and ask what it's like, to which Jonny will respond: "Loadsa dosh, loadsa rugby, great lifestyle, do it" and we'll lose another bright light.

That said, it's not been confirmed where Sexton is going. Could be Japan or the Miami Dolphins for all we know.

4PP

Well someone better tell the French or there'll be noone to meet him at the airport!

fitz

Fishooks13 wrote: »

Not to mention that they wouldn't be able to afford it

Can't understand why the provinces aren't allowed to supplement the IRFU offer in cases like this...