'We didn't think he was going at various stages' - Johnny Sexton on 'strange circumstances' of Carbery move
Johnny Sexton says it is 'disappointing' for Leinster to have lost Joey Carbery as the province look to defend their PRO14 and European crowns this season.
The talented 22-year-old opted to join Munster over the summer in order to ensure he gets sufficient game-time at out-half ahead of the 2019 World Cup. With Sexton firmly entrenched as the Leinster number one - and Ross Byrne often preferred at ten in his absence - Carbery often found himself at fullback in an injury-interrupted 2017/18 campaign.
Irish fans will be eager to see how Carbery beds in down in Munster, with the playmaker set to go up against his old team-mates at the Aviva Stadium in an inter-provincial clash on October 6.
Speaking at the PRO 14 launch, new Leinster captain Sexton said that Carbery departed Leinster in 'fairly strange circumstances' after weeks of speculation as to where he would play his rugby.
"I haven't spoken to Joey much since he's gone down, I suppose he left in fairly strange circumstances," he said.
"We didn't think he was going to go at various stages and it was announced that he was gone, so it's disappointing from a Leinster point of view because we're not in a position to replace that player, but as a person we wish him well and hope it works out for him."
The PRO14 gets underway on Friday August 31, with Leinster travelling to play Cardiff Blues in their opening game.
Online Editors
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