IT HAS BEEN a big week for Jonny Sexton and it is a long way from being over yet.
The outhalf invaded the pitch, at ANZ Stadium last Saturday, as his British and Irish Lions team captured the Test Series against Australia. Sexton started the 41-16 but watched the final 20 minutes from the sidelines as Owen Farrell closed out the game he had put on a winning track with a crucial try.
He returned to Ireland yesterday and was mobbed by both fans and media at Dublin Airport. Always eager for the next challenge, Sexton spoke keenly about the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017, new Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and getting settled at his new club, Racing Metro.
The French Top14 club have already welcomed new coach Ronan O’Gara, who will oversee youth team players and Racing’s backs and goalkickers. They have also released images of their new jersey for the 2013/14 season.
Racing Metro’s new home jersey for 2013/14.
They play preseason friendlies against Heineken Cup champions Toulon, on 2 August, and Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins a week later. The first home game of the Top 14 season is against Brive, at home, before an away date in the south of France against Toulon.
Apart from current stars on the books, such as Juan Martin Hernandez, Benjamin Fall and Juan Imhoff, Racing welcome Sexton’s Lions teammates Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts into the squad for the new season.
Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate in their vintage Racing Metro jerseys.
Sexton’s hectically glorious week continues today with his 28th birthday, followed by his wedding to fiancée Laura Priestly on Friday.
