THE FRENCH ADVENTURE can officially begin for Jonathan Sexton tomorrow after the outhalf was handed the No. 10 jersey for his Racing Metro debut against Brive.
Sexton has been named alongside Maxime Machenaud in Racing’s halfback pairing for the Top 14 opener at Stade Marcel Deflandre [kick-off 5:30pm Irish time].
The former Leinster outhalf made his first appearance for the Parisian club last weekend when he featured in a pre-season friendly against Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins. He is the first Irish international to return to action following the national side’s summer tour to America and the Lions series against Australia.
Sexton was spared the kicking responsibilities in the 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies but he was crucial in the First Test win in Brisbane and scored a fine try during the do-or-die Third Test in Sydney.
The 28-year-old’s Lions teammate Dan Lydiate, signed from Newport Gwent Dragons, starts the league tie at blindside flanker. There is no place in the squad for Lydiate’s fellow Welshman, and Lion, Jamie Roberts. The centre has been given extra time to properly recover from the hamstring injury that caused him to miss the first two Tests Down Under.
Other familiar faces in the Racing XV include captain Dimitri Szarzewski [hooker], Luc Ducalon [tighthead], Laques Cronje [No.8] and Benjamin Fall [right wing].
Interestingly, Ronan O’Gara has been included on Racing’s official team-sheet as part of a coaching triumvirate, along with Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers.
