Sexton salutes Schmidt and Nacewa

Leinster out-half Jonny Sexton admitted last night’s Amlin Challenge Cup victory felt strange for him.

The Racing Metro-bound Irish international was delighted his side finished the campaign with some silverware and dedicated the victory to future Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and Isa Nacewa, who is retiring at the end of the season.

“Three seasons and three championships under Joe. He’s an outstanding coach and we wanted to send him off on the best note and for fellows like Isa that are legends within the set up, we wanted to do it for those guys.

“It’s very strange [for me] to be doing this but we’re going to finish on a high,” continued Sexton.

“We would have probably preferred to have been playing tomorrow but we lost to the best side in Europe which was Clermont. We obviously had to come into this competition. We can only play for three trophies every year, the Heineken, the Amlin and the Rabo so to win a trophy is always special. We wanted to do it here in front of our home crowd, they’ve been fantastic.”

However Sexton called for one more effort as they look to add the RaboDirect Pro12 title to his medal haul for Leinster before departing.

“We have to regather now and do it next week.

“We’re playing against an unbelievable Ulster team who have beaten us twice already.”