Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will retire after next year’s World Cup and has said he wants to “come out on top” after signing a final contract on Tuesday to lead his country to world showpiece France.
The former World Player of the Year, who will be 38 at the time of the competition, is aiming to play in his fourth World Cup and his first as captain after being handed the role after the 2019 tournament in Japan.
“Yes, it’s over, the 2023 World Cup. I’m delighted to be able to say that,” Sexton told a press conference.
“I’ve been beating around the bush for six months, still nervous talking about the World Cup when you weren’t guaranteed to be there, but I just want to make the most of the last 18 months of my career and come out on top.”
Ireland have become increasingly dependent on the three-time Six Nations winner in recent years, with the Leinster fly-half’s form showing few signs of waning and few young players emerging to really challenge him for the No 10 shirt. .
Sexton became the seventh Irish player to reach 100 caps last November and is also closing in on Ronan O’Gara’s Irish points record with 963 to his former rival’s 1,083.
The contract extension will also give Sexton two more stars to add to the five European Cups he has won with Leinster.