O'Connor would welcome Sexton's Leinster return

The Irish region head into the new GUINNESS PRO12 season as two-time reigning champions after successfully defending their title in Sexton's absence.

The 29-year-old left for Racing Metro last summer - his vacated No.10 shirt filled by a combination of Ian Madigan and Jimmy Gopperth.

The loss didn't appear to hit them too hard as a 34-12 triumph over Glasgow Warriors clinched back-to-back PRO12 titles but Sexton has this week entertained the idea of returning to the RDS.

And O'Connor revealed he would welcome the British & Irish Lion back with open arms.

"He speaks regularly with a lot of the guys in our environment," said the Leinster boss. "We've still got good links with Jonny. We'd be very keen to have a conversation if he chooses to come back.

"Of course you'd like him back. He's a world-class player and he's proven that across the course of his career."

And O'Connor's assistant coach, Richie Murphy - who has worked with Sexton both at the province and in the Ireland setup - is hoping the lure of home will bring him back.

"Obviously it will be Jonny's decision at the end of the day, but from our point of view he's a world-class player," said Murphy.

"He's a Leinster boy - and I think he still is a Leinster boy at heart. And I think it would be fantastic if we could get him home and hopefully that's the way it will go.

"We've had some texts and some small chats but we haven't actually been talking about the situation. I'm better off just leaving that to him, his agents and the people who are looking after his contracts."

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