You have to respect Johnny Sexton for not backing away from this question so soon after Leinster clinched their league and European trophy double.
The Leinster outhalf helped his side to a Guinness PRO14 walloping of Scarlets that was nowhere near as close as the final scoreline of 40-32 suggests.
Sexton kicked 13 points and set up James Lowe’s wonderful try then sat back to enjoy the final 15 minutes on the bench. Joey Carbery, his replacement, set up the Blues’ final try with some superb footwork and vision. It was another example of the wealth of riches Leinster currently have at No.10.
Carbery, though, may not be a Leinster player next season as – in order to get more game-time in the 10 jersey – he may move on to either Ulster or Munster.
Post-match, Sexton addressed the Carbery speculation and praised the 22-year-old for dealing with such intense, lengthy speculation over his future. The Leinster star commented:
“He is surrounded by some very good people, like his dad, and the management here have been very good to look after him. He has been able to call on some very experienced guys here to look for some advice.
“But, look, I have felt for him with all the speculation. From his point of view and for everyone, the sooner a decision is made the better for everyone involved.
“He is obviously a teammate and a friend, first and foremost. He’s competition as well.”
Asked, jokingly, by Newstalk’s Dave McIntyre if he’d be ‘delighted to see him go’, Sexton admitted he had cracked a similar remark in the print media huddle. He continued:
“Whoever he ends up with… I hope it’s here but whoever he does end up with, he’ll be a great asset for wherever he ends up.
“He’s so talented and he’s so versatile; he’s got a little bit of everything. You saw with the foot-work he did for the [Jack Conan] try. That’s what he is capable of.”
It certainly is.
Leinster supporters are still deep in double-winning celebrations but they would greedily want to hang on to Sexton, Carbery and, while they are at it, recent Ireland call-up Ross Byrne.
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