Johnny Sexton has been enlisted as one of Andy Farrell’s assistant coaches for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. The former Ireland fly-half will be taking over the role of kicking coach from Wales legend Neil Jenkins, who has been part of the coaching staff for the past four tours. With six Test caps for the Lions under his belt, Sexton brings a wealth of experience to the coaching team.
After retiring from playing following Ireland’s exit in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals against New Zealand, Sexton expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter in his coaching career. He shared his excitement, 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.” Sexton acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead on the tour to Australia, reminiscing about his playing days with the Lions and the unforgettable memories created.
In addition to his duties with the Lions, Sexton will be assuming a full-time coaching role with the Ireland national team starting in August. Having already been involved part-time since last autumn, he will be stepping into an assistant coaching position with the men’s national team, as well as working with various men’s and women’s age-grade sides. This dual role showcases Sexton’s commitment to developing rugby talent across different levels.
Andy Farrell, currently on a break from his role as Ireland head coach, has been assembling his coaching team for the upcoming Lions tour. Alongside Sexton, Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty, and Simon Easterby have been confirmed as assistants. The coaching lineup also includes Aled Walters and Vinny Hammong from Ireland, with no representation from the Welsh national team. Despite the absence of a Welsh coach, the team is looking forward to the expertise and experience Sexton brings to the table.
Reflecting on Sexton’s impact during the 2013 Lions tour to Australia, Farrell emphasised his dedication to the team and the sport. He praised Sexton’s influence on the squad and their series win, highlighting his invaluable contribution. Additionally, former Wales wing Ieuan Evans, who serves as the Lions’ chair and tour manager, expressed excitement over welcoming Sexton to the coaching team for the tour of Australia. Evans looks forward to the wealth of experience and insight Sexton will offer in this coaching role.
With the announcement of Johnny Sexton joining the Lions coaching team, Welsh fans will see a shift in leadership from Neil Jenkins to the former Ireland captain. Sexton’s appointment marks a new era in Lions coaching, setting the stage for an exciting and challenging tour of Australia. As preparations continue for the summer tour, the coaching staff, led by Andy Farrell, aims to build a cohesive team that can compete at the highest level. The inclusion of Sexton adds a fresh perspective and dynamic to the coaching setup, enhancing the team’s chances of success on the field.