Irish manager plays down timing of Sexton move

Ireland manager Mick Kearney has defended the IRFU’s contract negotiations with Jonathan Sexton and insisted news of his departure will have no impact on the team’s preparations for Saturday’s Six Nations opener in Wales.

Kearney accepted the timing of Sexton’s announcement was not ideal and revealed that Declan Kidney will be broaching the subject of contract negotiations and their timing with IRFU top brass in the coming days.

Kidney and Kearney meet with the union’s National Team Review Group at least 10 times a year — five times alone during the Six Nations — and their views are certain to reach the highest levels given IRFU chief executive Philip Browne and director of rugby Eddie Wigglesworth are among the sub-committee’s members.