Johnny Sexton has downplayed any lingering tension with Finn Russell, insisting he is fully committed to supporting the Scotland fly-half during the British & Irish Lions’ upcoming tour of Australia. The former Ireland captain, now part of Andy Farrell’s coaching team, stressed that his role is to assist and guide players including Russell despite previous critical remarks that cast a shadow over their professional relationship.
Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was surprisingly omitted from the 2021 Lions tour, a snub that he has since admitted still stings. In his autobiography, Sexton questioned the decision and described Russell as “flashy” and a “media darling.” These comments sparked speculation about a strained relationship between the two, particularly with Russell now poised to start at fly-half in the Lions’ Test series against the Wallabies.
However, any animosity appears to have been resolved. The two shared a handshake and a brief conversation during the Lions’ initial squad meeting last month. Russell later remarked that they “had a laugh” about the situation and confirmed there were no hard feelings. Sexton echoed this sentiment, describing the matter as “blown out of proportion.”
“I was talking about myself in 2021 and how I felt,” Sexton explained. “It was more about what I thought Warren Gatland was thinking. We had a handshake and a chat. I’m here to help him now. That’s my role. I’m not here to tell him what to do just to offer support and experience.”
Sexton’s comments reflect the ethos of unity that the Lions demand of their players and staff. With national rivalries left behind, the focus is now on building a cohesive squad capable of winning a tough series in Australia.
Russell arrived in Dublin on Monday, fresh off Bath’s Premiership title win, and joined several other new arrivals in the Lions camp. These include Bath teammates Will Stuart and Ollie Chessum of Leicester, along with 12 Leinster players. The only absentee from the 38-man squad is Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn, who is expected to join soon.
Meanwhile, Tadhg Furlong returned to training after an injury layoff, while Hugo Keenan, Jamison Gibson-Park, and James Ryan were rested after Leinster’s URC triumph. England’s Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have departed the Lions setup to rejoin Steve Borthwick’s England camp ahead of their own summer fixtures.
Off the field, Owen Farrell has rejoined Saracens on a two-year deal following a brief stint at Racing 92. The move includes a compensation fee of around €200,000 and sets the stage for Farrell’s future transition into coaching at the club where his career began.
