Johnny Sexton: 'I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable'

Irish Examiner

6 hours ago

Johnny Sexton has vowed to enjoy the moment as he takes his first steps into full-time coaching at the highest level with the British & Irish Lions.
The former Ireland fly-half, Test centurion and captain, who left rugby following his retirement at the end of the 2023 World Cup, returned to the Irish camp at head coach Andy Farrell's invitation on a part-time basis last November and returned in a similar capacity for this season's Six Nations campaign.
The IRFU announced Sexton would become a full-time coach with the national team next season but Farrell appointed the 39-year-old to his Lions staff for this summer's tour to Australia and the legendary number 10 has quit his job in business after a year to return to rugby.
'That's why I decided to go into it, because I loved it,' Sexton said on Monday as the Lions trained at University College Dublin ahead of this Friday's pre-tour, non-Test international against Argentina at Aviva Stadium.
'Last November, Andy asked me to come in and help out. He thought the kickers and young 10s needed a little bit of help, so I did as much as I could with my work.
'He then asked me to come in for the Six Nations, and it was maybe a little bit more, but not much. I loved it, I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable.
GIVING BACK: Assistant coach Johnny Sexton and Marcus Smith. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
'I've spent a lot of time in rugby and felt I had a bit to give back to those number 10s, and the leadership group, trying to help them out.
'It was really enjoyable and then obviously got the phone call from Faz to do both roles and it would obviously have to be full-time and I jumped at it.
'It's something I kind of always wanted to get into deep down and the reason I didn't was I didn't really want to coach lads I'd played with so that break was good for me, albeit that it was only for a full year.
'And the other reason was because I'm not the 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. We'll see what happens, just enjoy the moment and try to make the most of it.'
Sexton has already made good on his commitment and reported a positive start to life with the Lions as Farrell's assistant coach, having toured as a player on the 2013 and 2017 tours, when he played in all six Tests across the two series with Australia and then New Zealand.
The Lions flew into Dublin on Sunday with a 24-strong player group following a training camp in Portugal with Farrell's squad boosted by the addition of 15 players who were involved in the Premiership Rugby and URC finals on Saturday for newly crowned English champions Bath, runners-up Leicester Tigers and a 12-man contingent from URC title winners Leinster.
'It's been amazing,' Sexton said. 'No matter what role, you come into a Lions set-up, it's a huge privilege and an honour to be here.
'It's no different being an assistant kicking coach, and helping out the lads gives me a huge amount of pride to come in and put the - not a jersey - but a badge on your chest. It's been great to be a part of. A great group so far.
'Obviously we have the Leinster and Bath boys joining today which will be good because they'll be in good form with their wins.
'We've had a tough week in Portugal which has been good for the group. We're good to go now for the group on Friday.'
Toulouse and Scotland playmaker Blair Kinghorn is the only player yet to join the squad as he remains in France as his club begins its Top 14 play-off campaign this weekend, while training players Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjur were set to return to England after Monday's training session.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Performance Coach Gary Keegan is the latest to be added to Andy Farrell's Lions coaching staff.