Jerry Sexton’s unusual route to senior rugby at Exeter Chiefs

Jerry Sexton embraces teammate Greg Bateman after Exeter Chiefs’ LV= Cup win over Gloucester at Sandy Park. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The second row made his debut against Gloucester having spent time in France

Jerry Sexton has embarked on a road less travelled in pursuing a career in professional rugby. The youngest of a clan that includes
Ireland outhalf, Johnny, St Mary’s College centre Mark, and sister Gillian, the 6’5”, 21-year-old, has already gathered a few stickers for his suitcase, despite his tender years.
The journey has taken him from the classrooms and pitches of St Mary’s College in Rathmines, initially to the massive physicality of French ProD2 club rugby in first Auch, and then briefly, Mont de Marsan, where the raw aggression and brutal collisions of the forward play offered a throwback to a bygone era of elite French club rugby, to latterly, the south coast of England.
Sexton played for Auch’s Espoirs (under-23 side), spending a great deal of time in the gym as the club looked to build bulk on his frame. When his one-year contract was up he moved to Mont de Marsan but had the emotional maturity to recognise that he wasn’t happy. He explained: “I realised after a couple of weeks it wasn’t for me. I asked to leave and the club were very good about it. They understood.”……. see the full story on >> http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jerry-sexton-s-unusual-route-to-senior-rugby-at-exeter-chiefs-1.2059420