Happy Sexton a racing certainty to see out his time in Paris

Johnny Sexton last night dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Ireland by confirming that he has no intention of cutting short his stay in France.

Sexton, who scored two tries in Ireland’s dramatic 22-20 victory over the French at Stade de France on Saturday night, had been the subject of speculation that he was unhappy with life in Paris having left Leinster to join Racing Metro on a two-year contract last summer. Links with a return to Ireland just a year into that deal had surfaced when the British & Irish Lions fly-half had said during an interview with the BBC three weeks ago that there had been times when he thought about quitting France as he and wife Laura initially struggled to settle in the French capital.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 2 last night, Sexton said those problems were behind him and we was enjoying life at Racing Metro and looking forward to the birth of his first child in Paris this summer. “I was obviously aware of some things that were being mentioned, almost because other people had to comment on it rather than myself, you know, speculation about leaving France a year early. That’s not going to happen.

“I’ve always given two sides of the story but only one seems to get picked up. I’ve said sometimes that it’s great and other times, you know, it was tough at the start and there have been difficult moments.

“That was always going to be the case in the first six months here but me and my wife have settled in really well here, a baby on the way in July and it will be born in Paris, please God.

“So these are unnecessary distractions and not something that I got too hung up on to be honest. I’m starting to really enjoy it over here, I think we’re taking steps in the right direction.”

With the Six Nations over, Sexton is due back in Racing colours this weekend with a Top 14 game against Grenoble but his participation is dependent on successfully negotiating the strict International Rugby Board return to play protocols following his concussion late on in the win over France at the weekend.

Sexton was stretchered off in the 68th minute after a collision with French centre Mathieu Bastareaud but was able to return to the pitch after the final whistle to collect his Six Nations winners’ medal. The Dubliner said he missed some of the post-match celebrations in Paris on Saturday night but added: “I spent a bit of time with the doc but I didn’t feel as bad as I thought I was going to do and got to enjoy it a bit yesterday back home in Ireland with the guys and just had a bit of a celebration with the family and close friends. It was very enjoyable.”