Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton has expressed his disappointment at the omission of Jonny Wilkinson from the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia.
The former England international has been in top form for French club Toulon this season but made himself unavailable for the tour when asked to join by head coach Warren Gatland.
Sexton admits that he would have loved to been fighting for a place against Wilkinson in the squad Down Under.
"A lot of people have said to me that it is great he wasn't picked because it gives me a better chance now," Sexton told Sky Sports News.
"But I look at it the other way. I would have liked him to go and would have loved to have learned from him, he is a bit of a legend.
"I obviously looked up to him when I was 16 and he was winning the World Cup with England."
Sexton will compete against England fly-half Owen Farrell for a place in the starting lineup.
