Irish Rugby
Sexton in the dark over O'Gara move
ESPN Staff
May 18, 2013
Ronan O'Gara (right) will work with Jonathan Sexton (left) next season © PA Photos
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Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has admitted Ronan O'Gara's decision to move to Racing Metro in a coaching capacity came as a surprise.

Sexton will link-up with the Top 14 side next season and he will now be working alongside his old rival for the Ireland No.10 shirt O'Gara, who confirmed he will retire from the game on Saturday. The pair have both tussled for the Test fly-half spot in the past with Sexton their first choice option since the 2009-10 season.

But any sense of rivalry will now be put to bed with O'Gara the man charged with coaching Metro's kickers, alongside his role with the espoirs. Sexton welcomed the decision and admitted the pair did not get off on the best of terms when they started tussling for the Test No.10 shirt.

And Sexton also conceded O'Gara's announcement came out of the blue. "I thought he'd go for another season with Munster," Sexton told RTE. I thought they'd want to hold on to him. But if he does come over with me it will be great.

"[O'Gara will be] someone to help me settle in and someone I can fall back on who has a lot of experience. I don't know what his role exactly is, we'll have to sit down and have a talk.

"We've developed a really good friendship over the last few years. Obviously we didn't get off on the best note, but we've had a really strong relationship and I really look forward to working with him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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