Johnny Sexton Makes Coaching His Full-Time Career
Johnny Sexton makes coaching his full-time career, fulfilling a long-held ambition that has arrived sooner than he expected. The former Ireland and Leinster fly-half, who retired after the 2023 World Cup, had initially stepped into the business world, working with a sustainable packaging company. But it didn’t take long for rugby to call him back first in a part-time role with Ireland, and now full-time with both the Irish national team and the British and Irish Lions.
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Falling Back in Love with Rugby
Sexton began his coaching journey in November last year when Andy Farrell invited him to assist the Irish squad as a kicking coach. The experience reignited his passion for the game. “That’s why I decided to go into it, because I loved it,” he said. Returning to a rugby environment where he felt at home, Sexton believed he had valuable insights to offer the next generation, especially to number tens and leadership groups.
Coaching: A Path He Always Considered
At 39, Sexton is embracing full-time coaching after getting a real taste for it in recent months. “I jumped at the opportunity,” he shared, explaining that he always had a quiet desire to coach. One major hesitation was not wanting to coach players he had recently played alongside, so the year-long break gave him the space and clarity to reenter the sport on new terms. Unlike fellow Irishman Ronan O’Gara, Sexton has no interest in coaching abroad. “I want to be in Ireland,” he emphasized, focusing on what makes him happiest now rather than planning too far ahead.
Lessons from the Business World
Although his foray into the business sector was relatively short, Sexton found it enriching. He threw himself into it with commitment, even if in hindsight, he wonders whether he was convincing himself it was for the long haul.
Irish Influence in the Lions Squad
Sexton is now part of a heavily Irish Lions setup. With 16 Irish players selected and the coaching team largely built around Ireland’s staff—including Farrell, Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty, and David Nucifora—the influence is clear. Even the backroom staff has strong IRFU representation, including performance coach Gary Keegan and analyst Vinny Hammond.
Selection Based on Merit, Not Bias
Sexton insists the strong Irish presence isn’t due to favoritism but reflects consistent performance over recent years. He praised Farrell’s thorough selection process, noting the deep level of consideration given to every player. “It’s not just about a couple of good games in the Six Nations,” Sexton explained. “Andy did right by all the players, taking a long-term view.”
Preparing for Argentina
The Lions trained at UCD ahead of their send-off match against Argentina. Tadhg Furlong returned to training after recovering from a calf injury, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, and James Ryan were present but didn’t participate. More players from Leinster, Bath, and Leicester Tigers are expected to join later. Meanwhile, Saracens’ Jamie George and Sale Sharks’ Asher Opoku-Fordjour will depart after being part of the training camp in Portugal.
