Alan Quinlan has expressed his surprise that British & Irish Lions star Jonathan Sexton was selected for Ireland’s summer tour of Argentina.
Sexton made seven appearances for the Lions and was quickly back in club action with Racing Metro on his return from Australia last summer.
The 28-year-old admitted to feeling drained before last year’s autumn internationals and former Munster and Ireland star Quinlan hopes that coach Joe Schmidt will protect the fly-half ahead of a year that culminates in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“I’m not sure I would have brought him on tour,” Quinlan told the Irish Examiner. “I’d have wrapped him up in cotton wool and given him a long summer off myself.
“I’d certainly be taking him off in both matches if the opportunity presents itself, if Ireland are going well. I’m sure that might happen.”
