Joe Schmidt has admitted he discouraged Jonny Sexton from signing for Racing Metro, and saved any positive feelings about a move to France until after the Leinster kicker had signed for his new club.

Recent comments from Sexton suggest Schmidt was very positive about the idea of moving to France, although when speaking to Newstalk’s Oisin Langan yesterday Schmmidt was keen to clarify he had been working hard to discourage the move.

“That was after he signed. I didn’t encourage him to go, I was telling him how good it was here. I’ve been there, it’s not that good. It is fantastic to go out when you’re young, learn a new language and immerse yourself in a new culture,” he said.

While Sexton’s future will be Schmidt’s concern as Ireland head coach, the immediate focus is on Friday night’s Amlin Challenge cup final and the challenge posed by Stade Francais. With a period of sudden, and potentially damaging, change on the horizon for Leinster – with the departures of Isa Nacewa, Sexton and Schmidt all confirmed, and O’Driscoll still in the balance, along with an upcoming Lions tour for several players – Schmidt was happy that his side would not let thoughts of an uncertain future affect their game on Friday.

“This team is very short term focused. They don’t know what they’re having for lunch tomorrow, let alone what happens beyond Friday’s game,” he said.

Tickets for Friday’s game are at a premium, with demand far exceeding supply as attendance at the Amlin final outstrips the, supposedly, more alluring Heineken Cup final, which takes place in the Aviva Stadium the following night.
Schmidt is confident the crowd at the RDS on Friday night will supply Leinster’s battered bodies with a crucial edge.
Schmidt said, “when you’re a little bit tired and you’re a little bit battered, when the crowd get going it can get you just over the line.”

Listen to the full interview via the player below