FORMER LEINSTER AND Ireland wing Shane Horgan admits that he too was tempted by a move away from Ireland during his career, but the lack of silverware at Leinster drove him on.
Horgan scored 69 tries in over 200 appearances for Ireland’s eastern province, and the entirety of his 14 years in the game were as a Leinster player.
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Even so, Horgan can fully empathise with his former team-mate Jonathan Sexton’s decision to take his skill-set to the Top 14.
“I was (one club man), but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t tempted to go or at certain times in my career thought it would have been a nice thing to do. I certainly was, and did.” The RTE pundit told TheScore.ie today.
After some initial confusion raised by Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti’s protestations that Sexton would not be joining his club, an accepted consensus has returned that the Paris club will indeed have Ireland’s number 10 in their ranks next season.
Life-changing
Horgan believes that the chance for Sexton to sample a new city, new surrounds with a new big challenge is one that the St Mary’s man will relish.
“That was one of the issues that I found with leaving; I wanted to achieve something with Leinster.” Horgan added. “We had a lot of years when there was nothing being achieved so that was certainly an issue for me. But he doesn’t have that, he’s achieved more than anyone could have believed with Leinster.
“That was maybe one of the factors – he was probably looking for another challenge, coupled with a life-changing sum of money.
“But knowing Jonny the way I do, the idea of a challenge and being able to build something with Racing and living a life in Paris. I think they’re really strong draws, certainly ones that any thinking person would think were significant.”
Shane Horgan will be part of the team as RTÉ Sport broadcast comprehensive coverage of this year’s RBS 6 Nations with all 15 RBS 6 Nations matches available in HD.
Sexton will enjoy building a new success in Paris, says Horgan
FORMER LEINSTER AND Ireland wing Shane Horgan admits that he too was tempted by a move away from Ireland during his career, but the lack of silverware at Leinster drove him on.
Horgan scored 69 tries in over 200 appearances for Ireland’s eastern province, and the entirety of his 14 years in the game were as a Leinster player.
Even so, Horgan can fully empathise with his former team-mate Jonathan Sexton’s decision to take his skill-set to the Top 14.
“I was (one club man), but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t tempted to go or at certain times in my career thought it would have been a nice thing to do. I certainly was, and did.” The RTE pundit told TheScore.ie today.
After some initial confusion raised by Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti’s protestations that Sexton would not be joining his club, an accepted consensus has returned that the Paris club will indeed have Ireland’s number 10 in their ranks next season.
Life-changing
Horgan believes that the chance for Sexton to sample a new city, new surrounds with a new big challenge is one that the St Mary’s man will relish.
“That was one of the issues that I found with leaving; I wanted to achieve something with Leinster.” Horgan added. “We had a lot of years when there was nothing being achieved so that was certainly an issue for me. But he doesn’t have that, he’s achieved more than anyone could have believed with Leinster.
“That was maybe one of the factors – he was probably looking for another challenge, coupled with a life-changing sum of money.
Shane Horgan will be part of the team as RTÉ Sport broadcast comprehensive coverage of this year’s RBS 6 Nations with all 15 RBS 6 Nations matches available in HD.
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European Rugby Champions Cup Jonathan Sexton Leinster RTÉ Shaggy Shane Horgan