Metro hope Sexton will be available

Racing Metro are hopeful Jonathan Sexton, pictured, will play some part in their opening European Champions Cup clash with Northampton next weekend, increasing prospects the Ireland 10 will be available for the autumn internationals.

Sexton’s compatriot in Paris, Ronan O’Gara returns to the pages of the Irish Examiner tomorrow with his weekly column and says Racing are looking for Sexton to return from his broken jaw for the clash in the french capital on October 18.

O’Gara also reveals that while Racing didn’t offer Sexton a €1million per year contract extension to extend his stay in France, the era of the €1m-a-year player in the Top 14 is fast approaching.

“It’s a huge country, with a captive audience and owners who have deep pockets and run their own ships. The one-million barrier will be broken by season’s end.”

Sexton will earn a reputed €600,000 per season when he returns to Leinster next year, increasing to €750,000 when private commercial endorsements are factored in.