Well-rested Sexton was ‘mad keen’ to join touring party
He only had a very short break after the Lions tour to Australia before embarking on his career with Racing Metro 92 but the 28-year old says he is as fresh as he ever was.
“I was mad keen to come. I had a brief conversation with Joe [Schmidt] about how I was feeling. Since Christmas I had a week off before the Six Nations because we had a week off before our Heineken Cup campaign was over so I got away then. I was injured for one game during the Six Nations so I had a week off then and I had two weeks off after the Six Nations, so I had, like, loads of time off, loads of holidays.
“I feel real fresh, fresher then I have on years gone by on summer tours. I suppose that’s not always a good thing because you have not played as many knockout games as you would have liked. Over the last few years when I was involved with Leinster we were involved in two competitions right to the very end.
“I’ve played in six finals over the three years so maybe that’s why I feel fresher. Not all good from that point of view but I’m fresh for this one, mad keen for it,” he added.
Sexton, who confirmed yesterday that there is an option of a third year on his existing contract with Racing Metro, said that a deadline has not been set on contract talks.
He and wife Laura are expecting their first baby in the next few weeks — the couple have decided to remain in Paris for the birth — and Sexton said all of this would be taken into account when deciding on his future.
“There’s a lot to consider, with the baby due and we’ll see how we cope in Paris by ourselves with that so that will be a factor and see how happy Laura is with the baby when I’m gone six days a week, so it’s a lot to consider.
“You like to get things sorted out as quick as possible and the nature of the game with injuries and guys having to retire on the back of one injury, so you want to look after your future and your family.”
He is pleased with the way his first season in France has gone but feels both he and Racing Metro can push on next year, but he has enjoyed working with his old rival Ronan O’Gara and is already looking forward to the new season.
“The coaches said it to me and Ronan said it to me that you’ve got to be really proud of your first year. It meant a lot to come from them. And all the other players as well were congratulating me.
“Some people might have viewed the semi-final as a success to get there because of the start but for me a success would have been to win the Top 14.”
He hasn’t spoken to Brian O’Driscoll about his plans following retirement but reckons his former Leinster team-mate will be a success in his new role with Newstalk.
“He was captain of Ireland and you can’t do that job if you are not switched on. I look to forward to seeing how he gets on.
“I think he is a big sports fan, a closet one anyway because he always gives out to me for watching too much sport on TV.”
Sexton was delighted to see Leinster retain the Pro12 title last weekend and it didn’t cause any pangs of regret about moving.
“I don’t think so because my decision was made, it was made 12 months ago and I don’t want to keep going on about it because it is history.
“If someone had said to me ‘Leinster are going to win the Rabo in 12 months’, would I have stayed? No, because I knew Leinster were going to go on to be successful because that’s the type of organisation they are, they have big characters, a really good coach in there, everything is right with them, I knew what I was leaving so I still didn’t or couldn’t change my decision.”
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