Johnny Sexton to Racing

First topic message reminder :

http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/story/176079.html - confirmed by Auntie.

Pretty shocked he would leave.
1) He on a good wage, plus gets a tax break
2) Leinster are one of the top sides in Europe(maybe he thinks they on the slide?)
3) Staying puts him in stronger position for Ireland jersey.
4) He highly regarded and thought of as one of the main men.
5) Its not even the South of France.

Will Conway not be 5th choice winger, behind Dougie, O'dea, Zebo, and Earls

kingjohn7 wrote:Pretty shocked he would leave.
1) He on a good wage, plus gets a tax break
2) Leinster are one of the top sides in Europe(maybe he thinks they on the slide?)
3) Staying puts him in stronger position for Ireland jersey.
4) He highly regarded and thought of as one of the main men.
5) Its not even the South of France.

1) Hes on a much better wage
2) Hes done all he can with Leinster
3) nobody is near atm fir that 10 jersey
4) True
5) Hes in Paris, even better than South of france

South of France is a better place IMO, though I wouldn't begrudge Paris as that is also a magnificent place.

gleesonisgod wrote:

kingjohn7 wrote:Pretty shocked he would leave.
1) He on a good wage, plus gets a tax break
2) Leinster are one of the top sides in Europe(maybe he thinks they on the slide?)
3) Staying puts him in stronger position for Ireland jersey.
4) He highly regarded and thought of as one of the main men.
5) Its not even the South of France.

1) Hes on a much better wage
2) Hes done all he can with Leinster
3) nobody is near atm fir that 10 jersey
4) True
5) Hes in Paris, even better than South of france

Woah man nowhere compares to Southern France, it's like Elysium for living people

The problem with Sexton's move is that he will be playing a different type of rugby, he will have to adjust his game which might be good and might be bad. If Kidney is still coach he can expect to lose out to ROG again!

Sexton will spend his salary on rent in Paris....but will still get picked by Ireland.

Barkley can now move sideways into his preferred 12 position. I would be interested to see what he is being paid by Racing, as at the time it was simply stated as an unbelievable offer for him to consider and subsequently leave his beloved Bath.

The French are building an amazingly strong league - time will tell if it is financially viable in the long term but the signs are that it will, with their TV deal, big sponsorship and the odd billionaire or two.

The pressure on the AP to ease the salary cap becomes greater every season as they are being left behind by the French on the promotion of their domestic product.

Is it definitely Racing?

Guys it looks like he isn't going to Racing. The Director has said they are already stocked well in that position and that he is not going to them next season.. Rumors are that its Toloun that he is going to.

Morgannwg wrote:South of France is a better place IMO, though I wouldn't begrudge Paris as that is also a magnificent place.

There is a very fast and efficient train service between the two places.

Perhaps he isn't on his way...................


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0126/1224329304815.html

Hope he enjoys playing in front of 4000 spectators.

Is he leaving or what?? Or is he just going to a different french club or are Racing waiting until April to announce the signing.

VinceWLB wrote:Hope he enjoys playing in front of 4000 spectators.

What does that mean?

Artful_Dodger wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Hope he enjoys playing in front of 4000 spectators.

What does that mean?

Average Racing T14 attendance 10200 http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=competition&CompID=327&statType=home_Att .

Thomond wrote:Perhaps he isn't on his way...................


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0126/1224329304815.html

He's on his way Thom, but maybe not to Racing. The IRFU announced he will not be renewing his Leinster contract. It just remains to be seen where he will go.

Clermont?

Mind you €750,000 p.a. is a lot for a rugby player. Maybe he, or his agent, are getting a bit greedy.

greytiger wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Hope he enjoys playing in front of 4000 spectators.

What does that mean?

Average Racing T14 attendance 10200 http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=competition&CompID=327&statType=home_Att .

Hardly 4k then....even their lowest is well over 4k and they played in front of 74'000 against Toulouse last season.

This average is screwed by their Derby against Stade with very low tickets, they usually have around 5-6k at their Stade Yves du Manoir. Paris teams are so poorly supported it's baffling how they get their money.

Mind you €750,000 p.a. is a lot for a rugby player. Maybe he, or his agent, are getting a bit greedy.

That's €14400 (£11500) a week.

Kinnora.

Clermont, Toulouse and Toulon (if wilkinson retires) could all use a good 10. Given they have seen more of him that anyone I wouldn't be surprised if it's Clermont

Jimpy wrote:

Golden wrote:Anyone know how big the contract is?

Be on A4 I expect.

It would actually kill me inside if he went to Clermont.......anyone but Clermont (and Munster).

Tolouse maybe?
Biarritz? Surely he'd have more sense!
Toulon? They have Giteau, Wilko who can both play 10

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:It would actually kill me inside if he went to Clermont.......anyone but Clermont (and Munster).

Tolouse maybe?
Biarritz? Surely he'd have more sense!
Toulon? They have Giteau, Wilko who can both play 10

Get Michael O'Leary to take over Leinster, Pete.

You would possibly get a basic game of rugby really cheap but if you wanted any fancy frills like a working scrum or a decent fly-half, then the gate price will escalate astronomically. At least you wouldn't get stuck in a holding pattern circling the Amlin as the team transport would not have the satnav with non HEC destinations on board.

Other advantages would include early uncontested scrums as props are so expensive, they would not be picked for the squad and no away game would ever be played in inclement weather as the match would be cancelled. And I'd have to pay €10 for taking the pee.

From sextons point of view there wouldn't be a better team than clermont to join. Great team, great fans, nice place, will be challenging for silverware and they know first hand what he can do.

How long does wilkinson have left at Toulon?

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:

Thomond wrote:Perhaps he isn't on his way...................


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0126/1224329304815.html

He's on his way Thom, but maybe not to Racing. The IRFU announced he will not be renewing his Leinster contract. It just remains to be seen where he will go.

Clermont?

Mind you €750,000 p.a. is a lot for a rugby player. Maybe he, or his agent, are getting a bit greedy.

Ah yeah I know he is going but to Racing it looks not. I'd say Johnny's agent is Manti Teo's girlfriend.......

greytiger wrote:

Mind you €750,000 p.a. is a lot for a rugby player. Maybe he, or his agent, are getting a bit greedy.

That's €14400 (£11500) a week.

Kinnora.

But until two years ago was apparently earning less than €100k per year, so at 27 you can understand why he needs to earn as much as he can over the next 5 years if only to make up for the fact that he was a late developer. Overrated player in my opinion though. Never looked the part at international level.

Scrumdown wrote:

greytiger wrote:

Mind you €750,000 p.a. is a lot for a rugby player. Maybe he, or his agent, are getting a bit greedy.

That's €14400 (£11500) a week.

Kinnora.

But until two years ago was apparently earning less than €100k per year, so at 27 you can understand why he needs to earn as much as he can over the next 5 years if only to make up for the fact that he was a late developer. Overrated player in my opinion though. Never looked the part at international level.

Partially due to the way Ireland play, no outhalf would look good with our style of play that doesn't involve backplay.

Would never class him as a fundamental to Ireland, even O'Gara was that. But, Sexton is the number one out-half in Europe right now and should by the Lions 10.

I'd be disappointed if I was a Leinster supporter but I can't hold it against anyone looking to capitalize on their talents.

Thom Evans, Morgan Stoddart and Tom Rees are just recent examples of players the sport lost to injury. They didn't get the chance to make the most of their talents in their prime, let alone hang around for a late bonus payday overseas after retiring from international rugby.

If Sexton really was on a relatively moderate contract until recently, then it's not hard to understand why it might be attractive to seek maximum rewards for his talents given that he turns 28 this year.

Good point on him being a late developer. The 40% ten year tax back thing would have been much less of an incentive for him, since he hasn't earned a huge amount in Ireland compared to our other star players.

Feckless-

Is there a time on that as well, surely he could come back play for 4 years and get his tax back on those 4 years no?

Good move for the fans of the pro12, we will no longer have to see his petulant little slap-able face week in week out,

At 28 he's no spring chicken...

I always got the impression he was only ever half cooked, sublime one minute erratic the next he tends to look youthfull when he plays.

I'd argue Madigan is ready and raring to go so the IRFU can save that 500,000 yo yo's!

thebluesmancometh wrote:At 28 he's no spring chicken...

I always got the impression he was only ever half cooked, sublime one minute erratic the next he tends to look youthfull when he plays.

I'd argue Madigan is ready and raring to go so the IRFU can save that 500,000 yo yo's!

He was always fantastic for us. The only critiscism I would have is his kicking.

I see Gerry Thornley has changed his mind and now says the deal was done yesterday, and Sexton has secured release for Ireland camps keeping him available for the national team.

ReadBetweenthePosts wrote:I see Gerry Thornley has changed his mind and now says the deal was done yesterday, and Sexton has secured release for Ireland camps keeping him available for the national team.

I wouldn't listen to anything he says.

I'm glad for Sexton, it's not a lack of loyalty at all. He's won 3 European Cups- what else is there left for him and others to achieve with Leinster? They've quite literally done it all. No fan can fault what they've delivered, and feel like those players owe Leinster anything. At 27 after three European Cups he's already earned the right to leave on his own terms.

It's time for a new generation at Leinster and a new challenge for Sexton. They have Madigan to slot straight in, so long term no worries.

Notch, I think you may be prematurely shooting your wad with that Madigan comment. I love the guy, and he has a lot of talent but he has not yet played in a big game so think we need to hold off to see how he does.

I'm not saying Madigan will replace Sexton fully. But he will get a lot more gametime- good for Ireland for sure.

Oh yeah, I'm delighted Sexton is gone, wanted to see Madigan for a long time he has certain skills that suggest he could surpass Johnny, a shame he is taking on a relatively old team that has some areas like centre looking pretty thin.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Feckless-

Is there a time on that as well, surely he could come back play for 4 years and get his tax back on those 4 years no?

Yeah he could Pete. Maybe that's his plan. But I think the size of this contract alone is worth more than what the IRFU could offer as well as 40% of the tax he's paid here. Sunday Times says he would have stayed if the IRFU matched what Heaslip is on, which is about 450k I think. Surely they should have gone that bit further. I'd rate Sexton as more important to Leinster than Jamie.

On Madigan, he's actually better than Sexton at some things. His range and accuracy of passing can be breathtaking and has a great sidestep. And he has a better eye for the try line too. But Sexton is such a great all rounder at every aspect of play which makes him so valuable. His defence is phenomenal, probably the best tackling 10 since Wilkinson. He actually relishes the physical side of the game, which isn't the most common trait in 10's. He can control a game with the boot or link brilliantly with his backs. His goal kicking is good enough, although not in ROG's, Wilkinson's league in terms of consistency. He's as good as any in the world at the pressure drop goal. I'd also rate him as a more natural leader than Heaslip.

Is Madigan physical enough to be a top class player against the best club teams or test rugby? He doesn't shirk tackles. But he's quite small.

I'm just so disappointed. I can't imagine Sexton in another teams jersey, maybe even lining out against us if Racing make it into the HC. Just seems like yesterday that Dr. Phil went off injured against Munster in the HC semi final and Sexton had to come on and straight away nailed a pressure kick.

Sexton has handled this really poorly in my opinion as have his advisors or agents.



The most farcical thing to come out of this though is that Heaslip is our highest paid player, what a joke!

Notch wrote:I'm glad for Sexton, it's not a lack of loyalty at all. He's won 3 European Cups- what else is there left for him and others to achieve with Leinster? They've quite literally done it all. No fan can fault what they've delivered, and feel like those players owe Leinster anything. At 27 after three European Cups he's already earned the right to leave on his own terms.

It's time for a new generation at Leinster and a new challenge for Sexton. They have Madigan to slot straight in, so long term no worries.

+1

Sums it up for me.

Thomond wrote:Sexton has handled this really poorly in my opinion as have his advisors or agents.

Wow! You were at the contract negotiations. I'm impressed. I thought the IRFU had mad a total bollix of it, but sure what would I know I wasn't there.

Thomond wrote:
The most farcical thing to come out of this though is that Heaslip is our highest paid player, what a joke!

The management thought he was so crap they made him captain. Ridiculous really. He should be third choice behind O'Mahony and Cawlin.

According to Equipe, (not the most reliable paper I know) Sexton is not going to Racing and they quote the president of Racing as saying so.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Sexton-fait-le-buzz/345809

Thomond wrote:Sexton has handled this really poorly in my opinion as have his advisors or agents.

I agree. I just hope this nonsense doesn't impact Sextons form and unsettle our 6N camp.

How has he handeled it poorly? He hasn't said a thing, someone leaked the story that he was signing and the IRFU have confirmed he's going to France. He's not allowed say who he's signing for until the French transfer window opens (i believe), so what's he supposed to do?

Sexton has handled it badly by having Fintan Drury as his agent. I get the impression the IRFU don't like Drury because 2 of his clients (Luke Fitz & Sexton) have not fared well in their negotiations with the IRFU.

They should follow Heaslip's example and change their agent.

Mickado wrote:How has he handeled it poorly? He hasn't said a thing, someone leaked the story that he was signing and the IRFU have confirmed he's going to France. He's not allowed say who he's signing for until the French transfer window opens (i believe), so what's he supposed to do?

He's handled it badly because it looks like he and his agent have tried to hold the IRFU to ransom and now its backfired. If this racing Metro deal does indeed turn out to be bogus then Sexton is going to look very stupid. Maybe his agent is to blame and not Sexton.

rodders wrote:

Mickado wrote:How has he handeled it poorly? He hasn't said a thing, someone leaked the story that he was signing and the IRFU have confirmed he's going to France. He's not allowed say who he's signing for until the French transfer window opens (i believe), so what's he supposed to do?

He's handled it badly because it looks like he and his agent have tried to hold the IRFU to ransom and now its backfired. If this racing Metro deal does indeed turn out to be bogus then Sexton is going to look very stupid. Maybe his agent is to blame and not Sexton.

How will it have backfired? The deal has been confirmed it just hasn't been announced who he is going to. At least that was my grasp on the story