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Schmidt denies double standards over treatment of Sexton & Zebo and says it’s part of his job to protect Irish rugby

JOE SCHMIDT has revealed why he selected Johnny Sexton for Ireland during his two-year spell at Racing – and why he’s unlikely to pick Simon Zebo after he announced his move there.

Schmidt (right) omitted Zebo from his squad for the November series after the Munster winger confirmed he’s leaving Ireland next summer.

The 27-year-old is expected to join the Paris club on a lucrative two-year deal, where he’ll join Donnacha Ryan.

Schmidt sat down with Zebo before the decision was made and explained the consequences for his Test career if he chose to leave.

Schmidt said: “I’ve a lot of time for Zeebs. He’s a very, very nice young man and a super rugby player. We talked about the management and longevity THERE was criticism of Ireland’s selection policy when Simon Zebo was omitted from the November series squad – just as Bundee Aki was selected for the first time.

The issue lit up social, print and broadcast media after the squad was announced last week. But

Joe Schmidt insists he can’t understand why there was any of the career, the opportunity to be at the forefront of our thinking in terms of selection instead of being on the periphery.

“Those are things he was well aware of – but I totally understand why he made his decision.

“At the end of the season he’ll be 28 and Racing made a pretty compelling offer. You want to make sure you get the best opportunities for your family.”

Moving abroad has seen Marty Moore and Ian Madigan – among others – exiled from international rugby, yet Schmidt reiterates that there’s “no policy” against him picking foreign-based players.

However he’s clear he doesn’t want to see the trickle of talented players moving abroad becoming a flood – debate over the inclusion of Connacht’s Aki (right).

“I walk the streets, I meet people, people are incredibly supportive,” said Schmidt, who said he was unaware of any swell of criticism or negativity.

“If that was the case we wouldn’t have two sold out matches and one on the very cusp of it. The foreign player and describes Zebo’s absence as an “opportunity” for others to step up with the World Cup two years away. “There’s only an intention from the IRFU to best protect the provinces and the local game,” he stressed.

“We believe the best way to do that is to select from within Ireland.

“There’s one player who went to Racing 92 and was played for the first 12 games in the season. I’m not sure he’s ever had the same resilience since then.

“So we’re looking to add to the longevity of our players – and trying to support the provinces.”

Schmidt is referring to Sexton, who has suffered a catalogue of injury problems since his move to France. “It’s pretty self-evident,” said Schmidt. “He hasn’t played 12 games makes up six or seven % of our selections in the last four years.

“People like to focus on the very small margin and make that into a lot bigger than it is.

“I don’t really see it as something that is as emotional or contentious as people would build it up to be, but then I don’t have access to everybody.” in a row since then and that’s because you pick up the wear and tear and it’s hard then to get that back.”

Schmidt was appointed Ireland coach in March

2014 and Sexton moved to Racing that summer.

The Kiwi believes he had no option but to keep selecting his number one out-half.

“I was new into the job,” he reflected. “To set a rugby team up in the space of a week is an incredibly difficult job.

“That was a part of Johnny’s selection.

Zeebs has been great for us.

“But he hasn’t reached the same level of selection, in those terms.

“The risk is a really high-profile player goes and you’ve got to make a decision. I have a responsibility to to futureproof as best I can.”