ZEBO’S APPEAL
Sexton tipping Munster star to be Top 14 hit
JOHNNY SEXTON believes Top 14 crowds will love watching Simon Zebo play in France next season after the Munster star revealed on Monday he is quitting for Racing 92.
‘They love that type of player in France, skill, flair, attacking, doing something out of nothing. They will love him. It’s pretty unstructured as well. He will be allowed to have a free role and do what he wants. That is where he is at his best,’ said Sexton.
Zebo will become the third Irish international player in recent times to join the wealthy Paris outfit, who have Ronan O’Gara on their coaching staff. However, while key out-half Sexton was still selected for Ireland during his two-season stint from 2013 to 2015, Joe Schmidt has since shied away from picking overseas-based players.
This policy, which has ruled lock Donnacha Ryan out of Ireland contention since the end of last March’s Six Nations, will now put an end to Zebo’s Test level career once he too moves to Racing. Sexton feels this rule is the only way the
JOHNNY Sexton would seem to be the ideal person to comment on Simon Zebo’s shock decision to quit Munster for France. News of the decision on Monday dominated yesterday’s press conference with the Leinster out-half at Castleknock College. However, those hoping Sexton would provide greater insight into Irish rugby’s latest hot topic were largely disappointed.
In truth, much has changed since the Ireland star’s own two-year stint at Racing ended in summer 2015.
The Paris club is vastly different, with an overhauled roster of players and a brand new indoor stadium which is due to open soon, creature comforts in complete contrast to Sexton’s experience at the dilapidated Stade Colombes.
The consequences of an Ireland Test level player heading overseas are also radically different.
Sexton won 15 of his 66 Ireland caps while attached to Racing, but that is international recognition which won’t be coming Zebo’s way now as the IRFU ignore the credentials of Irish players based outside the country.
The loophole which permitted Sexton’s juggling act was closed as soon as he landed back in the country two years ago.
So while Sexton has plenty of experience of the gruelling commute back and forth to Dublin for Test duty, this is a strain which won’t be of concern to Zebo, whose move will rule him out of the Ireland equation from next summer.
While Sexton found it difficult managing the incessant demands of French club rugby with his Test team commitments, particularly as he became a first-time father while based in Paris, he feels Zebo, who is moving to put the interests of his young family first, will have a much better time of it in the Top 14 with Racing his only master.
‘There was no break in the season,’ said Sexton, reflecting on the air miles he clocked up while satisfying the demands of club and country. Life, though, will be very different for Zebo.
‘If you’re in Racing and not playing international rugby there will be loads of breaks,’ he explained, highlighting a key difference that can help Zebo to consistently impress at a club where Sexton struggled to show his best form.
‘You’ll have the two-week break at Christmas, a week break in November, you’ll probably get time off during the Six Nations, so as a noninternational playing player it’s not so bad.
‘It’s when you have to try and do both is when you run into difficulty. If I was to advise anyone, I’d say wait until the end of your international career before you decide to go over, but that’s in hindsight. I made the opposite decision.’
Sexton wasn’t privy to the ins and outs that will see Zebo head to France. Their paths haven’t crossed much of late as Sexton was in New Zealand with the Lions while Zebo was on Ireland’s June tour to North America and Japan. The last time the first-choice Ireland squad prepared for a match together was last March.
However, the Leinster and Ireland out-half knows Zebo’s decision will hit Munster badly.
‘He’s a big figure down there, a big player for them. I’m sure they’re all gutted he’s gone. Everyone has got different circumstances and I wish him all the best.
‘It’s obviously a big call for him to sacrifice a World Cup potentially and what else can happen before that if we achieve what we want to achieve over the next few years. It will be tough for him, but I’m sure he has weighed all that up.
‘Everyone’s circumstances are different. The decisions I made at the time maybe are totally different to what Simon is going through.
‘I’m sure it was very tough either way because he is definitely Munster through and through. It would be good to see him back here in a couple of years.’
Sexton’s current wellbeing on the pitch is attributable to an IRFU player welfare system that aims not to over-work its most prized assets. It has assisted the out-half in quickly finding his best form since his late September return and with a three-match November Test schedule on the horizon, he can’t wait to experience what is in store for Ireland.
‘It’s definitely a benefit,’ he said of the IRFU’s housekeeping. ‘We had four weeks off at the end of the Lions and a good block of work to get yourself ready for the season.
‘Some English guys went back in and played Premiership round one. Time will tell if it takes its toll later on in the season. We’re looked after well here and that’s one of the big benefits of being here.
‘It’s always exciting to go into Irish camp,’ he added. ‘We’re spoiled with the coaches we have. There is an exciting few games coming up with some new guys and talent that I’m sure will be involved.’