Jonny Sexton Reveals His Thoughts On Irish Rugby Players Moving Abroad

Jonny Sexton spent two years with Top 14 side Racing 92 but the Leinster outhalf says that he realised too late the impact it would have on his international prospects.

Ireland may have won two Six Nations with Sexton at 10 during his French affair but he readily admits that his move to Racing Metro negatively effected his form for Schmidt’s team due to the constant flights and increased schedule.

Sexton reckons that any Irish player with international ambitions is better off staying put:

Players have a decision to make and I think if you want to be starting for Ireland week in, week out and being looked after in the Irish system then you need to stay here.

JJ Hanrahan is the most recent man to make the move in search of game time, with teammate Ian Madigan also contemplating a move for the same reasons but Sexton stands by his experience.

The best place for an Irish international to be is at home and hopefully we retain most of those guys, hopefully all of them.