Metro Sexton: Modern rugby great Jonny Sexton begins his Paris adventure

Jonny Sexton admits he has some adjusting to do as he begins his new life in Paris – and not just off the pitch.

Sexton and his new wife, Laura, arrived in the French capital last week and have already settled into their new home in the southwestern suburbs.

And on Tuesday he was introduced to the French media for the first time at Racing Metro’s headquarters.

So

while everything has gone according to plan to date, the Ireland out-half knows things are going to change on the field of play.

As

the Top 14’s highest earner, the Dubliner will have to play a lot more league matches than he was used to at Leinster – where he was able to rest under the IRFU’s guidelines for centrally contracted players.

That security blanket is gone now but at the same time, Sexton has expressed frustration with having to sit out games in the past.

“It’s an unbelievable league,” said Sexton.

“It’s got a lot of the best players in the world. It’s got challenges.

“There are a lot of games, which I’m not used to. But that’s something I am going to have to get used to.

“I’m looking forward to everything – testing myself against the best, playing with a lot of unbelievable players here.

“There

are a lot of great French players, which I think is very important for the club, that they have a good core of French players here.

“That’s what we have here and I think it’s very important.”

Of

course, Sexton is also linking up with former Ireland team-mate Ronan O’Gara, who has been brought in as kicking coach at Racing.

That

will help both men settle in, but Sexton began taking French language lessons while injured earlier this year – and after he was shocked that the IRFU decided not to give him a new central contract.

And

he spoke some French yesterday to the home-based press as he expressed another reason why his priorities will change on the pitch.

“Coming from Leinster, the Heineken Cup is everything. Obviously here the Top 14 is massive,” he said.

“I

grew up watching Trevor Brennan playing for Toulouse and winning the Bouclier de Brennus so I want to win that as well. It’s a big goal of mine to win that now with Racing.”

The 28-year-old reiterated: “It was obviously very difficult for me to leave Leinster.

“I love Leinster. But, you know, I made a decision.

“I wasn’t talking with Leinster, I was talking with the IRFU.

“I had difficulty with them and then once I decided I was leaving I wanted to look at France.

“This is a big challenge for me. It’s a new project here and I’m really looking forward to putting everything I have into it.”

Metro Sexton: Modern rugby great Jonny Sexton begins his Paris adventure