Cotter: Clermont lost Sexton to Racing’s money

Clermont coach Vern Cotter has claimed his club were Jonny Sexton’s preferred choice in France, but were priced out of a deal by the financial might of Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing Métro.

Speaking to the Auvergne-based daily La Montagne, Cotter, who will become Scotland coach next year, said: “Jonathan Sexton wanted to come to Clermont. We wanted him too. But Racing’s offer was double [€700,000].” Cotter made the revelation as part of a frank interview where he criticised Clermont’s lack of movement in the transfer market, as well as some of his own players.

Following the loss to Toulon in the Heineken Cup final, Cotter appeared to criticise Morgan Parra and Brock James in particular: “I’m sorry I trusted two or three players. My main regret is that we worked on team selection and game management for Dublin with our leaders, and these leaders were absent.”