Sexton Joins British & Irish Lions Coaching Staff in Surprise Move
In a stunning development, rugby union legend Johnny Sexton has been added to the British & Irish Lions coaching staff for their upcoming summer tour of Australia. The 39-year-old, who retired from professional rugby after the 2023 World Cup, will join head coach Andy Farrell’s team, which includes Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman, Richard Wigglesworth, and John Fogarty.
According to a report by The Guardian, Sexton’s appointment was not initially announced when Farrell unveiled his assistants for the tour last month. However, the former Ireland captain will now play a key role in the team’s preparations, alongside his new coaching colleagues. As reported by The Guardian, Sexton will also join Farrell’s coaching staff at Ireland upon the conclusion of the Lions tour.
Sexton’s involvement in the tour has sparked significant interest, particularly given his past comments on fly-half selection. The veteran rugby player has been critical of Scotland’s Finn Russell, a likely contender for the No 10 starting jersey, and has also offered praise for Owen Farrell, with whom he toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017. As The Guardian previously reported, Sexton wrote in his autobiography that he was surprised to be omitted from the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa, admitting that the snub "kills me to this day".
The Guardian reported that Sexton’s input into selection meetings will be closely watched, considering his past assessments of potential fly-half candidates. In his autobiography, he expressed doubts about Russell’s suitability for the role, stating that he "didn’t look like a Gatland player" to him. Conversely, Sexton has lavished praise on Owen Farrell, saying: "Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy…" As quoted in The Guardian, Sexton added that he would opt for Owen Farrell, citing his experience and ability to perform under pressure.
Sexton’s role within the coaching team is yet to be fully defined, with Farrell opting not to disclose specific remits for his coaches. However, during the Six Nations, Sexton worked informally with Ireland, focusing on kicking and mentoring younger players. As reported by The Guardian, the 39-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the Lions coaching staff, saying: "I am hugely excited to continue the next chapter in my coaching journey with the British & Irish Lions and I would like to thank Andy for this incredible opportunity."
Andy Farrell, the Lions’ head coach, welcomed Sexton’s appointment, highlighting his experience and dedication to the team. As quoted in The Guardian, Farrell said: "I coached Johnny for the very first time during the 2013 Lions Tour to Australia and the love that he had for the British & Irish Lions was reflected in how he operated on a daily basis. His influence on that Lions team and that series win, our only win in the last 24 years, should not be underestimated." With Sexton on board, the Lions will undoubtedly benefit from his expertise and passion as they prepare for their summer tour of Australia.
The British & Irish Lions will name their squad for the summer tour on May 8, with Sexton’s involvement set to add an extra layer of intrigue to the team’s preparations. As The Guardian noted, Sexton’s appointment has raised further questions about the team’s fly-half selection, with several contenders vying for the No 10 jersey. As the team prepares to take on Australia, one thing is certain – Johnny Sexton’s addition to the coaching staff will be a significant factor in their campaign.
