Latest news with #AutumnNationsSeries
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Johnny Sexton joins British and Irish Lions coaching staff as new Ireland role revealed
Johnny Sexton will join Andy Farrell's team of Lions assistants in Australia (Getty Images) Johnny Sexton has been added to the British and Irish Lions coaching staff for the tour to Australia, with the former fly-half joining up with Andy Farrell's team of assistants before taking up a role with Ireland. Sexton concluded his record-setting international career after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, finishing with 118 caps and as his nation's leading points scorer. He has since been involved with Ireland as a consultant coach, but his role is set to be formalised from August with the 39-year-old working with Ireland's men's and women's sides up to senior level. Before then, though, he will join Farrell and his staff on tour having travelled to Australia and New Zealand with the Lions in 2013 and 2017, featuring in six Tests. Sexton joins an already-announced group of assistants that includes both Ireland and England's attack coaches, Andrew Goodman and Richard Wigglesworth. '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 said. 'It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that await us. Playing for the Lions was a huge ambition of mine during my playing career and my memories of those tours to Australia and New Zealand will stay with me forever.' Sexton thrived in the final years of his career after Farrell's appointment as Ireland head coach and has long been tipped as a possible coach of real potential. Johnny Sexton (left) will reunite with his former head coach Andy Farrell (PA Archive) His addition bolsters a collaborative coaching team and adds extra Lions experience, with fellow assistant Simon Easterby also having toured with the Lions as a player. Easterby stepped in for Farrell during the Six Nations as the coach began his Lions duties in earnest, and the pair will count on Sexton's expertise when they return to the national set-up later this year. Farrell said: 'I coached Johnny for the very first time during the 2013 Tour to Australia and the love that he had for The British and Irish Lions was reflected in how he operated on a daily basis. His influence on that Lions team and that Series win, our only win in the last 24 years, cannot be underestimated. 'It was clear from working together during the recent Autumn Nations Series that he has the talent and skillset to add to our coaching team with Ireland and I know how driven he is to add to the Lions, firstly this summer, and then on a full-time basis with Ireland later this year. I look forward to working together over the coming months and wish him well in this new chapter in his coaching career.' Alongside Goodman, Wigglesworth, Easterby and Sexton, Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel will also assist Farrell. Aled Walters will head up strength and conditioning, while David Nucifora will operate as performance manager for the tour. The Lions face Argentina in Dublin in their first tour fixture on 20 June, before taking on the Wallabies in three Tests from 19 July. The squad will be confirmed on 8 May.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch ‘Johnny Sexton' terrorise nemesis ‘Rieko Ioane' over New Zealand star's looming move to Leinster
"JOHNNY Sexton" chased after "Rieko Ioane" throughout a haunted hotel never mind a rugby pitch in this hilarious skit. The inspiration in this parody from Advertisement 4 Perhaps its most haunting moment is Sexton singing that God awful 'Leinster, Leinster, Leinster' song Credit: @StevenPConnolly 4 In real life, we imagine Ioane wouldn't be as much of a shrinking violet as Shelley Duvall's character Wendy Torrance Credit: @StevenPConnolly 4 The 'Here's Johnny' reference works perfectly Credit: @StevenPConnolly Upon eventually tracking Earlier this month it was revealed that the 28-year-old will indeed make a shock move to Leinster next season - as he looks to become the No. 1 attraction having been Public Enemy No. 1. The mouthy New Zealand star Ioane has previously sparked dislike in Ireland due to comments towards Sexton following Ireland's World Cup elimination. Sexton revealed in his autobiography that as the game ended, Ioane said to him: 'Don't miss your flight tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you c***.' Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport The Ireland legend then wrote: 'So much for the All Blacks' famous 'no d***heads' policy. So much for their humility. I walk after Ioane and call him a fake-humble f****r. 'It doesn't look great, me having a go at one of them just after we've lost. But I can't be expected to ignore that.' It made the New Zealand utility back a villain when the All Blacks arrived in Dublin last November for a rematch. But he embraced the role leading the Haka. And following Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Yet there is no doubting the 28-year-old's talent as he has won 81 caps and scoring 37 tries for the All Blacks to date. He will join Leinster next December on a short-term deal, after New Zealand's November international commitments when they will face Ireland in Chicago. 'That time of year again' - Peter O'Mahony's captivating garden update includes hilarious tip for parents In effect, Ioane will be a replacement for fellow All Black Just as Barrett will return to New Zealand with the Hurricanes next season, Ioane will be back with the Blues in 2027. Advertisement And head coach Cullen said: 'We are thrilled to confirm the signing of Rieko on a seven-month contract which will come into effect after this year's Autumn Nations Series fixtures. 4 Ioane is an accomplished player on the wing as well as at outside centre 'Similar to our current arrangement with Jordie, we'd like to thank the NZRU for their help facilitating the move. Advertisement 'Rieko is a world-class, 81-cap All Black who has been operating at the very top level of the international game and Super Rugby for many seasons. 'He is an exciting, versatile outside back who will bring pace, rugby skills and experience to Leinster. 'That experience will add massive value to the group here and our younger players especially will learn so much from seeing how Rieko prepares, trains and plays. 'We can't wait to welcome Rieko to Leinster and I'm sure all our supporters will join me in making him and his family feel at home when the time comes.' Advertisement
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Johnny Sexton joins British and Irish Lions coaching staff as new Ireland role revealed
Johnny Sexton has been added to the British and Irish Lions coaching staff for the tour to Australia, with the former fly-half joining up with Andy Farrell 's team of assistants before taking up a role with Ireland. Sexton concluded his record-setting international career after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, finishing with 118 caps and as his nation's leading points scorer. He has since been involved with Ireland as a consultant coach, but his role is set to be formalised from August with the 39-year-old working with Ireland's men's and women's sides up to senior level. Before then, though, he will join Farrell and his staff on tour having travelled to Australia and New Zealand with the Lions in 2013 and 2017, featuring in six Tests. Sexton joins an already-announced group of assistants that includes both Ireland and England's attack coaches, Andrew Goodman and Richard Wigglesworth. '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 said. 'It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that await us. Playing for the Lions was a huge ambition of mine during my playing career and my memories of those tours to Australia and New Zealand will stay with me forever.' Sexton thrived in the final years of his career after Farrell's appointment as Ireland head coach and has long been tipped as a possible coach of real potential. His addition bolsters a collaborative coaching team and adds extra Lions experience, with fellow assistant Simon Easterby also having toured with the Lions as a player. Easterby stepped in for Farrell during the Six Nations as the coach began his Lions duties in earnest, and the pair will count on Sexton's expertise when they return to the national set-up later this year. Farrell said: 'I coached Johnny for the very first time during the 2013 Tour to Australia and the love that he had for The British and Irish Lions was reflected in how he operated on a daily basis. His influence on that Lions team and that Series win, our only win in the last 24 years, cannot be underestimated. 'It was clear from working together during the recent Autumn Nations Series that he has the talent and skillset to add to our coaching team with Ireland and I know how driven he is to add to the Lions, firstly this summer, and then on a full-time basis with Ireland later this year. I look forward to working together over the coming months and wish him well in this new chapter in his coaching career.' Alongside Goodman, Wigglesworth, Easterby and Sexton, Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel will also assist Farrell. Aled Walters will head up strength and conditioning, while David Nucifora will operate as performance manager for the tour. The Lions face Argentina in Dublin in their first tour fixture on 20 June, before taking on the Wallabies in three Tests from 19 July. The squad will be confirmed on 8 May.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lolesio's departure set to cloud Australia's flyhalf race ahead of the Lions series
FILE - Australia's Noah Lolesio lines up a penalty kick during the Autumn Nations Series rugby union match between Ireland and Australia, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Noah Lolesio's decision to take up a contract in Japan next year has posed another challenge to head coach Joe Schmidt as he assembles a Wallabies squad to play the British and Irish Lions in July. The 32-test veteran likely was the leading candidate to be the starting flyhalf for the Wallabies in this important season for Australian rugby. Advertisement His pending move from the Canberra-based Brumbies to a Japanese club came as a surprise to local rugby followers when it was announced on Friday, and will test Schmidt's resolve to deal sternly with players who choose overseas contracts ahead of the national jersey. Schmidt may have set a precedent earlier this year when he rescinded an invitation to Langi Gleeson to join a Wallabies training camp when he discovered that the Waratahs backrower planned to join French club Montpellier. The 25-year-old Lolesio started in 11 of 13 tests last season after being dropped by former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and recalled by Schmidt. He played on a short-term contract for the French club Toulon before returning to Australia and to the No. 10 jersey. Jones had preferred the Western Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson and Waratahs playmaker Carter Gordon, who left the sport last year to play in Australia's National Rugby League. Tane Edmed, who also has test experience, has been in a contest with Lawson Creighton for the Wallabies No. 10 jersey this season. Advertisement Lolesio's current Super Rugby season was disrupted by a concussion in Round 1 and was sidelined for three weeks. He had been working his way back into form before the ACT Brumbies' bye in the weekend's eighth round. His loss is a particular blow for the Brumbies, who have routinely reached the Super Rugby playoffs in recent seasons with Lolesio's assistance. 'We've been advised by Noah that he's taking up an offer overseas in 2026,' Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson said. 'We wish him all the best in the next stage of his rugby career and thank him for his contribution to the Brumbies.' Lolesio so far has signed a one-year contract in Japan with an option for a second. Details of the club have not been released. Advertisement If Schmidt is not prepared to consider him for selection, the Queensland Reds' Tom Lynagh and Donaldson come back into contention. Lynagh came off the bench to score a try in the Reds' 27-15 loss to the Chiefs in a top-of-the-table contest on Friday. He has 50 points in the season so far and Donaldson has 72. Lynagh has a goalkicking success rate in 2025 of around 87% and Donaldson around 84%. Both bring a different style to the game, with the bigger Donaldson known for a more physical approach. In another issue for Schmidt from Super Rugby this week, Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen has an ankle injury and is likely to be sidelined for up to eight weeks. That would take him out of most of the remaining regular season. Other leading Australian players sidelined at the weekend include Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordan, who has a medial ligament strain, hooker Dave Porecki, who has a calf strain, and former Wallabies captain Liam Wright, who has an ongoing, long-term shoulder problem. Advertisement Schmidt likely will be heartened by the solid performances of Australian Super Rugby teams this season. After eight rounds, the Reds, Force, Brumbies and Waratahs all are placed inside the top six playoffs zone. Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has put in a strong word for his scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan to be considered for a test role this season. Lonergan has been on the verge of selection for some time. 'Ryan this year has really stepped up and focused hard on working on his skills in training and in the off season,' Larkham said. 'I think he's played sensationally this year.' __ AP rugby:
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'The epitome of a one-club man' - Gilchrist extends Edinburgh stay
Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist says he is "more determined than ever to achieve something special" with Edinburgh after signing a one-year contract extension to remain at his boyhood club for a 15th 34-year-old made his professional debut against Cardiff in 2011 and is just the fourth player in Edinburgh's history to surpass 200 who is co-captain, said: "Being a one-club man is something I cherish deeply. I still feel like I have so much more to give to this club and the thought of helping lead this team to a winning moment would be the proudest moment of my career."We have a huge finish to the season ahead in both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the URC and I'm more determined than ever to achieve something special with this group of players and staff."Retirement isn't on my mind; I still feel I have unfinished business here at Edinburgh."Gilchrist featured in all five of Scotland's Six Nations fixtures earlier this year and started three of the Autumn Nations Series Tests in November against Fiji, Australia and South head coach Sean Everitt said: "Grant is the epitome of a one-club man and his unwavering commitment to Edinburgh is inspiring."It's brilliant news to retain a player of Grant's calibre, who continues to perform at the very top of his game."
