DUBLIN – 2025/06/17 14:44:14 – Johnny Sexton, the celebrated former Ireland captain, has revealed that a return to rugby was always on the cards, even if his transition to a full-time coaching position materialized sooner than anticipated.

After retiring from his playing career following the 2023 World Cup, Sexton ventured into the business sector, collaborating with a sustainable packaging firm. However, the allure of rugby proved to strong, prompting his comeback in a full-time capacity.

SextonS re-entry into coaching began in November of the previous year when Andy Farrell extended an invitation to contribute to the Ireland squad on a part-time basis as a kicking coach. This role is set to become full-time from August, following the conclusion of his commitments with the British and Irish lions.

“That’s why I decided to go into it, because I loved it,” he said, referring to his new roles with the Lions and Ireland.

“I loved being back in an environment where I was cozy.”

He added, “I’ve spent a lot of time in rugby and felt I had a bit to give back to those number tens, and the leadership group, trying to help them out.”

The 39-year-old shared that while he valued his time away from the sport, he eagerly “jumped” at the chance to resume a full-time role in rugby, particularly after experiencing coaching in recent months.

“It was really enjoyable and then obviously got the phonecall from Faz [farrell] to do both roles and it would obviously have to be full-time and I jumped at it,” he explained.

Sexton continued, “It’s something I kind of always wanted to get into deep down and the reason I didn’t was I didn’t really wont to coach lads I’d played with, so that break was good for me, albeit that it was only for a full year.”

He also noted, “The other reason was because I’m not a guy who wants to go and travel, go to France, go to New Zealand, a bit like [Ronan] O’Gara has done.”

“I don’t want to do that. I want to be in Ireland but I’ve got to concentrate on the here and now. That’s ultimately how I made the decision, I’ve got to make myself happy here and now, and not worry about the future. If it’s only for two years, it’s only for two years.”

Reflecting on his time outside rugby, Sexton said, “It [working outside rugby] was a great experience for me. I learned a lot, I threw myself into it, I was in it for the long haul in my own mind. maybe I was tricking myself, I’m not sure.”

The former Ireland and Leinster out-half is part of a Lions group that is drawn heavily from Irish rugby.

In addition to a record 16 Irish players in the squad, the coaching staff features a strong Irish presence, with Farrell and Sexton accompanied by Ireland’s defense coach Simon Easterby, attack coach Andrew Goodman, scrum coach John Fogarty, and former IRFU performance director David Nucifora.

The support staff also includes several of Farrell’s key personnel from the IRFU, such as video analyst Vinny Hammond, head of athletic performance Aled Walters, and performance coach Gary Keegan, who was recently added to the team.

Sexton maintains that all staff members selected for the tour have earned their positions based on merit.

“Ireland have done pretty well over the last few years I think, having won the Championship last year, the Grand Slam the year before. so you’re probably looking at form over the last three years.”

He added, “With some players, I think the coaches probably look at form over seven, eight, nine years. It’s not just if you played well in a couple of games in the Six Nations. You can force your way in, but sometiems you take a bigger picture look with players and obviously they know the way Andy coaches, they know the system, so it didn’t surprise me because, historically, let’s say when there was a Welsh coach and the Welsh team had done well, they were in the majority, the Welsh team.”

“I have never seen as thorough a process in terms of all the combinations, the amount of players that were considered, the amount of players that were talked about.”

sexton concluded, “Andy did all of those players justice in terms of putting enough research, work, asked relevant people and he’s picked the squad that he thinks gives him the best chance to win the tour.”

The Lions conducted training at UCD in Dublin earlier today in preparation for friday’s farewell match against Argentina at Aviva Stadium.

Tadhg Furlong participated in the session, having recovered from a calf injury that sidelined him during Leinster’s URC play-off campaign.

Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, and James Ryan were also present at training, although the Leinster trio did not participate. Gibson-Park and Keenan were absent from Saturday’s URC final victory due to injuries. The remaining Leinster Lions,along with those from Bath and Leicester Tigers,are expected to join the group later today.

Saracens hooker Jamie George and Sale Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour are scheduled to depart from the squad today, following their involvement in the training camp in Portugal last week.

“I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable…I’ve spent a lot of time in rugby and felt I had a bit to give back.”

Background: The British & Irish Lions and Irish Rugby