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Johnny Sexton: Leinster and Ireland’s ‘world-class’ fly-half signs contract extension with IRFU

The 33-year-old has enjoyed a stellar 2018 and was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year

Tuesday 11 December 2018 18:30 GMT

Jonny Sexton was named 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year (Getty)

Leinster Rugby and Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has signed a contract extension with the Irish Rugby Football Union until the end of the 2020-21 season.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed a stellar 2018 and was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year.

Sexton helped Leinster to a European Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 double, after steering Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam.

Ireland also beat reigning world champions New Zealand on home soil for the first time last month and will be expected to challenge the All Blacks for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Sexton spent two years in Paris with Racing Metro from 2013 to 2015, but now appears likely to see out his playing days in Dublin.

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

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1/15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ken Owens (Wales)

The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Kyle Sinckler (England)

Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Maro Itoje (England)

The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)

Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Mark Wilson (England)

Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.

EPA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Owen Farrell (England)

Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

George North (Wales)

Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Israel Folau (Australia)

The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.

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Sexton said on irishrugby.ie: “I am delighted to sign a new IRFU contract to continue to play for Leinster and Ireland.

“It is where I have always wanted to play so I am delighted to extend. We get looked after extremely well here.

“It is an exciting time for Irish rugby. I am looking forward to hopefully being a part of that over the next few years.”

Sexton made his Leinster debut in 2006 and his Ireland debut in November 2009.

Johnny Sexton played a key role in Ireland’s Triple Crown (Reuters)

He has since won 78 caps, scoring 738 points, and has twice toured with the British and Irish Lions, playing all three Tests in the 2013 series win in Australia and again in the drawn series with New Zealand four years later.

He returned from Paris to Leinster in 2015 on a four-year contract which was due to expire after next year’s World Cup.

Joe Schmidt will leave his role as Ireland head coach following the tournament in Japan, but now his successor, current defence coach Andy Farrell, has continuity with Sexton.

On Sexton, IRFU performance director David Nucifora said: “Johnny’s hunger and drive mark him out as a truly world class competitor.

“He sets a performance benchmark for those around him and is investing in the development of young out-halves in the Ireland squad while also seeking improvement in his own performance.

“He is a model professional and has been at the centre of a lot of the success enjoyed by Irish Rugby over the past few years.”

PA

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