Lions boss Andy Farrell confirms significant Johnny Sexton appointment as Ireland legend makes big call on coaching future despite previous reservations
Johnny Sexton while coaching Ireland and British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell.
Johnny Sexton will be part of the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to Australia ahead of becoming a full-time coach from next season.
The former fly-half will form part of an Ireland-heavy coaching staff as he joins fellow assistants Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty as part of the backroom team.
England’s Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland John Dalziel are also part of Andy Farrell’s group, with Sexton seemingly the final piece of the jigsaw.
Sexton’s ‘fight and dedication’
“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,” Lions head coach Farrell said.
“His influence on that Lions team and that Series win, our only win in the last 24 years, should not be underestimated.
“His fight and his dedication as a player is something that he will bring to this Lions Tour and I know that the players will relish his experience and expertise alongside all of our assistant coaches.”
It is understood that Sexton will be the kicking coach having helped out in that area with Ireland during the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations this season.
“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,” the former playmaker said.
“It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that await us.
“Playing for the Lions was a huge ambition of mine during my playing career and my memories of those Tours to Australia and New Zealand will stay with me forever.”
Going full-time with Ireland
Sexton will also start coaching full-time from next season with Farrell evidently pleased by his contribution since joining the Irish set-up.
The 39-year-old, who retired from playing following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was previously reluctant to move into coaching and instead joined Ardagh Group full-time as their chief of staff.
“You can only coach two teams in the world which is either Leinster or Ireland, which you can’t do straight way. You need to go and branch out, learn new ways, learn new methods, learn a new culture,” he told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast in October 2024.
“I would be very fixed in my ways – the coaches that I had influenced me in those two teams.
“You need to freshen up. If I was going to go back in and work with the players, you need to come back with some new ideas, otherwise it’s just pointless for them.”
However, a few months on and the Ireland great has signed a deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to take up a full-time role from August 1.
Sexton will become an assistant coach in Farrell’s set-up but will also work with the various men’s and women’s age-grade sides up to senior level.
READ MORE: Sam Prendergast’s verdict on Johnny Sexton’s involvement with Ireland
