Schmidt doesn’t expect Sexton’s French adventure to last

Joe Schmidt has expressed confidence Jonathan Sexton will return to play his club rugby in Ireland once his two-year contract with Racing Metro expires in the summer of 2015.

The out-half spoke about his decision to play in the Top 14 for the first time last week and was honest in admitting his first-choice had always been to remain with his home province.

Schmidt was powerless to do anything to prevent his loss to the glittering ranks of the French league but, though he has urged Sexton to embrace the new challenge, he seems convinced the Dubliner won’t be a long-term exile.