LEINSTER HAVE MADE a formal offer to bring Jonny Sexton home.
Reports this week suggested that Sexton is on the brink of returning to the province when his deal with Racing Métro expires at the end of the season.
CEO Mick Dawson confirmed that he and IRFU chief executive Philip Browne met the out-half and made him an offer, and that talks are now at an end.
They are hoping that he will sign a four-year deal which will centrally contract him until the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
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Dawson said: “We’ve put our best foot forward.
“[Sexton] has been quoted in the media saying that he’s made up his mind. I presume that Racing and Toulon are also putting their best foot forward.
We’re hoping that he’ll make his mind up fairly quickly and we’re hoping we’ll win this race.
Sexton: two-year Racing deal is up at the end of the season. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
If agreed, Sexton’s return would be a massive coup for Irish rugby ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 29-year-old is in the second year of his two-year contract in Paris and both Racing and Toulon have made moves to keep him in the Top 14 for the long term.
Speaking at an event to announce Bank of Ireland’s renewed sponsorship of the province, Dawson would not comment on whether third-party funds had been used to make Sexton an offer above and beyond the IRFU maximum.
The relationship between player and province became frayed when Sexton’s contract was up for renewal at the end of the 2012/2013 season but the latest talks were “very friendly,” Dawson said.
“We both acknowledge that we maybe didn’t handle it as well as we could have when he left last time, both parties.
“That’s all behind us now and we just have to wait and see.”
Leinster: 'We've put our best foot forward' to bring Sexton home
First published 2pm
LEINSTER HAVE MADE a formal offer to bring Jonny Sexton home.
Reports this week suggested that Sexton is on the brink of returning to the province when his deal with Racing Métro expires at the end of the season.
CEO Mick Dawson confirmed that he and IRFU chief executive Philip Browne met the out-half and made him an offer, and that talks are now at an end.
They are hoping that he will sign a four-year deal which will centrally contract him until the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Dawson said: “We’ve put our best foot forward.
“[Sexton] has been quoted in the media saying that he’s made up his mind. I presume that Racing and Toulon are also putting their best foot forward.
If agreed, Sexton’s return would be a massive coup for Irish rugby ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 29-year-old is in the second year of his two-year contract in Paris and both Racing and Toulon have made moves to keep him in the Top 14 for the long term.
Speaking at an event to announce Bank of Ireland’s renewed sponsorship of the province, Dawson would not comment on whether third-party funds had been used to make Sexton an offer above and beyond the IRFU maximum.
The relationship between player and province became frayed when Sexton’s contract was up for renewal at the end of the 2012/2013 season but the latest talks were “very friendly,” Dawson said.
“We both acknowledge that we maybe didn’t handle it as well as we could have when he left last time, both parties.
“That’s all behind us now and we just have to wait and see.”
– Additional reporting by Sean Farrell
Opinion: Whatever way you look at it, Sexton would be money well spent by the IRFU
‘Everyone says we’re in transition, but players are here to win trophies’ – Axel Foley
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