The cleaver has fallen, but it is not so sharp. Irishman Johnny Sexton was suspended for three games for “misconduct” during Leinster’s Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle at the end of May. This sanction, announced on Sunday July 16 by the European professional club rugby (EPCR), the organizing body of the European cups, means that the emblematic 38-year-old opening half will be able to play in the World Cup with the Irish selection. .
“He is free to play on August 27, 2023,” EPCR said in a statement, adding that Johnny Sexton would miss the three pre-season games scheduled for August against Italy, England and Samoa the World Cup begins on September 8.
The captain of the XV of Clover was heard Thursday before an independent disciplinary commission because of his behavior towards the South African referee Jaco Peyper, at the end of the Champions Cup final lost by his province against La Rochelle on 20 last May in Dublin. Forfeited through injury, Sexton had not participated in the match but was present at the Aviva Stadium to encourage his partners.
The Disciplinary Committee found his behavior “confrontational, aggressive and disrespectful towards match officials”, EPCR said. “Particularly he pointed his finger at them and yelled something like, ‘It’s a shame you can’t make the right decisions,’ probably accompanied by an expletive.”
His last competition before retirement
His Leinster club, deemed unable to contain his player, was fined 7,500 pounds (about 8,750 euros). Sexton, Leinster and EPCR now have the opportunity to appeal this decision before Wednesday.
Operated on adductors in the spring, number 10 had to withdraw for the end of the season. On May 30, however, he was on the list of 42 players selected to prepare for the World Cup in France by the coach of the XV of Clover, the Englishman Andy Farrell. Sexton, 113 caps for Ireland, has long announced that the World Tournament will be his last competition before retirement.
Poured into pool B, the Irish, winners of the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament this spring, will face Romania in Bordeaux on September 9, Tonga in Nantes on September 16, South Africa on September 23. at the Stade de France and finally, still in Saint-Denis, in Scotland on October 7.
