Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton poised for Leinster return

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has signed a contract with the IRFU which will see him rejoin Leinster from Racing Metro at the end of this season.

The 29-year-old is starting his second season with the French club.

The deal ties Sexton to the Irish province until the end of November 2019.

Sexton has won 45 caps for Ireland, scoring 391 points, and has made 110 appearances for Leinster, amassing 1,015 points for the province.

While at Leinster, he won three European Cups, two Pro12 titles and a Challenge Cup, but opted for a big-money move to France in 2013.

He played 25 times for Racing Metro last season and contributed 242 points.

Sexton made his Ireland debut in the 41-6 victory over Fiji in November 2009 and his most recent appearance was in the 23-17 victory over Argentina on the 2014 summer tour.

He played in all five games of Ireland's 2014 Six Nations Championship winning campaign and toured with the 2013 series-winning British & Irish Lions squad, starting in all three Tests against Australia.

"Jonathan is one the best out-halves in world rugby and the IRFU are delighted that he will be playing his rugby in Ireland," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.

"Irish rugby will benefit hugely from having a player of his calibre playing full time in Ireland," he added.

"I am pleased to be rejoining Leinster, the club where I started my professional career," commented Sexton.

"I grew up playing my rugby in Leinster and always wanting to pull on the blue jersey so I am delighted to be able to return to play my club rugby in Ireland."