Sexton joins Lions backroom team before starting new Ireland role

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 753 Comments

Johnny Sexton, a former Ireland international, will coach for Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions during their summer tour of Australia.

Sexton retired from the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and participated in two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017.

The Irish Rugby Football Union will start the new year with a full-time position starting on August 1, after the five-time Six Nations champion worked with Ireland in a casual coaching capacity since last November’s Autumn Nations Series.

He will work with a variety of men’s and women’s age-grade teams while also coaching the senior men’s team.

Sexton expressed his excitement at the prospect of continuing my coaching career with the British and Irish Lions.

“I’m looking forward to an exciting tour to Australia, and I already know what challenges lie ahead.”

My greatest wish for my entire professional career was to play for the Lions, and I will always have fond memories of those Tours.

Before traveling to Australia, the British and Irish Lions will face Argentina in a send-off game in Dublin on June 20.

His influence is “unbearable,” he said.

Sexton, 39, was omitted from 2021 after starting in the Lions’ 2013 series win over Australia and two more in the drawn series with New Zealand in 2017.

The 2018 world player of the year won 118 caps for Ireland and led the team to a series victory over the All Blacks in 2022 and the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

The love Johnny had for the British and Irish Lions was reflected in how he operated on a daily basis during his first coaching session with the Irish Lions in 2013, according to Farrell, who also coached Sexton for Ireland.

His impact on that Lions team and that Series victory, our only victory in the previous 24 years, cannot be understated.

Johnny Sexton in action for the Lions in 2013Images courtesy of Getty

Richard Wigglesworth, Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty were all added to Farrell’s coaching roster last month.

Sexton was referred to as a “significant coup” by Farrell.

Working with him during the most recent Autumn Nations Series made it abundantly clear that he has the talent and skillset to join our Irish coaching staff, and I know how eager to add him to the Lions, first this summer, and then later this year, on a full-time basis with Ireland, Farrell said.

David Humphreys, the director of IRFU performance, expressed his satisfaction with the long-term partnership with Sexton.

He will have an important role to play in educating both male and female players from the age-grade system through to the Irish national teams, Humphreys said.

“I want to formally welcome Johnny to the Irish Lions and the British andamp; Irish Lions,” he continued.

related subjects

  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Irish Rugby
  • Northern Ireland is a sport
  • Rugby Union

Sexton to join Farrell’s Lions backroom team

Getty Images
  • 640 Comments

Former Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton will join Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching team for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, played on two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017.

The five-time Six Nations winner has been working with Ireland in a casual coaching capacity since last November’s Autumn Nations Series and will take up a full-time position with the Irish Rugby Football Union from 1 August.

His new role with the IRFU will involve coaching the senior men’s team, while he will also work with various men’s and women’s age-grade sides.

“I am hugely excited to continue the next chapter in my coaching journey with the British and Irish Lions and I would like to thank Andy for this incredible opportunity,” said Sexton.

“It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that awaits 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.”

The British and Irish Lions will face Argentina in a send-off game in Dublin on 20 June before travelling to Australia.

‘His influence cannot be underestimated’

Sexton, 39, started all three Tests of the Lions’ 2013 series win over Australia and a further two in the drawn series with New Zealand in 2017, but was overlooked for selection in 2021.

The 2018 world player of the year earned 118 Ireland caps and captained the team to a series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022 and the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

“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,” said Farrell, who also coached Sexton with Ireland.

“His influence on that Lions team and that Series win, our only win in the last 24 years, cannot be underestimated.

Johnny Sexton in action for the Lions in 2013Getty Images

Last month, Farrell added Richard Wigglesworth, Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty to his coaching ticket.

Farrell described adding Sexton as a “significant coup”.

“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,” added Farrell.

IRFU performance director David Humphreys said he is “delighted” to have secured Sexton’s services on a long-term basis.

“I believe that he will play an important role in sharing his coaching insights with male and female players from the Age Grade system right up to the Ireland national teams,” said Humphreys.

“In formally welcoming Johnny to the IRFU I would also like to congratulate him on his selection with the British & Irish Lions.

Related topics

  • British & Irish Lions
  • Irish Rugby
  • Northern Ireland Sport
  • Rugby Union

Sexton to join Farrell’s Lions backroom team

Getty Images
  • 640 Comments

Former Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton will join Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching team for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, played on two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017.

The five-time Six Nations winner has been working with Ireland in a casual coaching capacity since last November’s Autumn Nations Series and will take up a full-time position with the Irish Rugby Football Union from 1 August.

His new role with the IRFU will involve coaching the senior men’s team, while he will also work with various men’s and women’s age-grade sides.

“I am hugely excited to continue the next chapter in my coaching journey with the British and Irish Lions and I would like to thank Andy for this incredible opportunity,” said Sexton.

“It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that awaits 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.”

The British and Irish Lions will face Argentina in a send-off game in Dublin on 20 June before travelling to Australia.

‘His influence cannot be underestimated’

Sexton, 39, started all three Tests of the Lions’ 2013 series win over Australia and a further two in the drawn series with New Zealand in 2017, but was overlooked for selection in 2021.

The 2018 world player of the year earned 118 Ireland caps and captained the team to a series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022 and the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

“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,” said Farrell, who also coached Sexton with Ireland.

“His influence on that Lions team and that Series win, our only win in the last 24 years, cannot be underestimated.

Johnny Sexton in action for the Lions in 2013Getty Images

Last month, Farrell added Richard Wigglesworth, Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty to his coaching ticket.

Farrell described adding Sexton as a “significant coup”.

“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,” added Farrell.

IRFU performance director David Humphreys said he is “delighted” to have secured Sexton’s services on a long-term basis.

“I believe that he will play an important role in sharing his coaching insights with male and female players from the Age Grade system right up to the Ireland national teams,” said Humphreys.

“In formally welcoming Johnny to the IRFU I would also like to congratulate him on his selection with the British & Irish Lions.

Related topics

  • British & Irish Lions
  • Irish Rugby
  • Northern Ireland Sport
  • Rugby Union

Wilson to face Lei, O’Sullivan v Carter at World Championship

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 390 Comments

Halo World Championship

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 19 April to 5 May

Defending champion Kyren Wilson will play Lei Peifan in the World Championship first round – with Ronnie O’Sullivan set to face Ali Carter as he bids for a record eighth title in the modern era.

O’Sullivan, 49, who confirmed on Thursday that he plans to participate in the tournament, has not played competitively since snapping his cue at the Championship League in January.

His prospective meeting with Carter, who at 18th in the world is the highest ranked qualifier, is a repeat of the 2008 and 2012 finals, which were both won by ‘The Rocket’.

World number one Judd Trump will take on Zhou Yuelong, while Masters winner Shaun Murphy will play debutant Daniel Wells.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby will meet qualifier Ben Woollaston, who is appearing in the televised stages of the competition for the first time since 2013.

John Higgins, who has also won four world crowns, will play Joe O’Connor, while 2024 finalist Jak Jones faces a difficult assignment against former UK champion Zhao Xintong, who is competing as an amateur having served a ban for breaching betting regulations.

Zhao is one of a record 10 Chinese players to reach this stage of the tournament -with Ding Junhui facing another man making his debut in Zak Surety and Si Jiahui, who reached the last four two years ago, playing David Gilbert, a semi-finalist in 2024.

There are a number of other intriguing encounters in the draw, with 2010 champion Neil Robertson facing Chris Wakelin, Mark Allen taking on Fan Zhengyi, and Barry Hawkins playing Hossein Vafaei.

O’Sullivan & Carter to renew rivalry

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

There is plenty of history when it comes to O’Sullivan versus Carter.

Formerly practice partners, their relationship appears to have soured over the years. They have met twice with the world title on the line and more recently played out a fiercely contested Masters final in 2024, with O’Sullivan victorious.

After that encounter, O’Sullivan called Carter “not a nice person” and “a nightmare” to play against after being criticised by his opponent.

O’Sullivan, who has claimed a record 41 ranking titles, has dominated their head-to-head statistics, winning 24 of their 27 matches in varying formats of the game.

However, Carter did triumph in the second-round contest at the World Championship in April 2018, in another match with a bit of spice to it.

The pair barged shoulders during the 19th frame of Carter’s 13-9 second-round win at the Crucible. Referee Paul Collier told the players to get back to the game after words were exchanged between the pair.

First-round draw

Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan

Jak Jones v Zhao Xintong

Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin

Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter

Zhang Anda v Pang Junxu

Si Jiahui v David Gilbert

Mark Selby v Ben Woollaston

John Higgins v Joe O’Connor

Xiao Guodong v Matthew Selt

Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei

Mark Williams v Wu Yize

Luca Brecel v Ryan Day

Ding Junhui v Zak Surety

Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells

Analysis – ‘It’s a horrible draw’ for O’Sullivan

Mark Selby, four-time world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don’t think either of them [Ronnie O’Sullivan or Ali Carter] will be happy with that draw. It is great Ronnie is in the competition – we’ve not seen him since January. I want him to play and as it stands, it seems like he is playing which is fantastic for the game.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Related topics

  • Snooker

Wilson to face Lei, O’Sullivan v Carter at World Championship

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 391 Comments

Halo World Championship

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 19 April to 5 May

Defending champion Kyren Wilson will play Lei Peifan in the World Championship first round – with Ronnie O’Sullivan set to face Ali Carter as he bids for a record eighth title in the modern era.

O’Sullivan, 49, who confirmed on Thursday that he plans to participate in the tournament, has not played competitively since snapping his cue at the Championship League in January.

His prospective meeting with Carter, who at 18th in the world is the highest ranked qualifier, is a repeat of the 2008 and 2012 finals, which were both won by ‘The Rocket’.

World number one Judd Trump will take on Zhou Yuelong, while Masters winner Shaun Murphy will play debutant Daniel Wells.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby will meet qualifier Ben Woollaston, who is appearing in the televised stages of the competition for the first time since 2013.

John Higgins, who has also won four world crowns, will play Joe O’Connor, while 2024 finalist Jak Jones faces a difficult assignment against former UK champion Zhao Xintong, who is competing as an amateur having served a ban for breaching betting regulations.

Zhao is one of a record 10 Chinese players to reach this stage of the tournament -with Ding Junhui facing another man making his debut in Zak Surety and Si Jiahui, who reached the last four two years ago, playing David Gilbert, a semi-finalist in 2024.

There are a number of other intriguing encounters in the draw, with 2010 champion Neil Robertson facing Chris Wakelin, Mark Allen taking on Fan Zhengyi, and Barry Hawkins playing Hossein Vafaei.

O’Sullivan & Carter to renew rivalry

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

There is plenty of history when it comes to O’Sullivan versus Carter.

Formerly practice partners, their relationship appears to have soured over the years. They have met twice with the world title on the line and more recently played out a fiercely contested Masters final in 2024, with O’Sullivan victorious.

After that encounter, O’Sullivan called Carter “not a nice person” and “a nightmare” to play against after being criticised by his opponent.

O’Sullivan, who has claimed a record 41 ranking titles, has dominated their head-to-head statistics, winning 24 of their 27 matches in varying formats of the game.

However, Carter did triumph in the second-round contest at the World Championship in April 2018, in another match with a bit of spice to it.

The pair barged shoulders during the 19th frame of Carter’s 13-9 second-round win at the Crucible. Referee Paul Collier told the players to get back to the game after words were exchanged between the pair.

First-round draw

Kyren Wilson v Lei Peifan

Jak Jones v Zhao Xintong

Neil Robertson v Chris Wakelin

Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter

Zhang Anda v Pang Junxu

Si Jiahui v David Gilbert

Mark Selby v Ben Woollaston

John Higgins v Joe O’Connor

Xiao Guodong v Matthew Selt

Barry Hawkins v Hossein Vafaei

Mark Williams v Wu Yize

Luca Brecel v Ryan Day

Ding Junhui v Zak Surety

Shaun Murphy v Daniel Wells

Analysis – ‘It’s a horrible draw’ for O’Sullivan

Mark Selby, four-time world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don’t think either of them [Ronnie O’Sullivan or Ali Carter] will be happy with that draw. It is great Ronnie is in the competition – we’ve not seen him since January. I want him to play and as it stands, it seems like he is playing which is fantastic for the game.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Related topics

  • Snooker

Williams ‘would be banned for 20 years’ for doping case like Sinner’s

Getty Images

Serena Williams says she would have been banned for 20 years and had some of her Grand Slam titles taken away if she had committed the same anti-doping offence as men’s world number one Jannik Sinner.

Italy’s Sinner, 23, is serving a three-month doping ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over two positive drugs tests last year.

Former world number one Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, claimed in 2018 that she was a victim of “discrimination” over the volume of drug tests she was required to carry out.

An article published by website Deadspin in 2018 revealed that Williams had been tested out of competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) on five occasions by June that year – more than twice as many times as other top American players.

“I love the guy, I love his game. He’s great for the sport. I’ve been put down so much, I don’t want to bring anyone down. Men’s tennis needs him,” the retired Williams said of Sinner in an interview with Time.

“[But] if I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.”

Sinner, who won the Australian Open in January, accepted an immediate three-month ban in February after he twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024.

Wada had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) seeking a ban of up to two years after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of any fault or negligence last year.

‘I can’t help but think about Sharapova’

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also expressed sympathy for former rival Maria Sharapova.

The Russian was banned for 15 months after testing positive for a substance she said she did not realise had been added to the banned list at the start of 2016.

“Just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all this time. I can’t help but feel for her,” said Williams.

Sinner will return in time for the Italian Open on 7 May, before the second Grand Slam of the year – the French Open – begins on 25 May.

Williams is not alone among current and former players to have raised the issue of perceived preferential treatment in response to Sinner’s case – and also that of women’s player Iga Swiatek, who accepted a one-month suspension last year.

Former British number one Tim Henman called the agreement “too convenient”, while Australian Nick Kyrgios claimed “fairness in tennis does not exist”, and three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka said he “did not believe in clean sport any more”.

Such accusations have been disputed by the ITIA, whose chief executive Karen Moorhouse said: “The way we manage cases does not change, irrespective of the profile of the player involved.”

‘I would gladly give another two years to tennis’

Williams retired from tennis in 2022 following her final US Open appearance, announcing that she would be “evolving away” from the sport.

“I miss it a lot, with all my heart,” Williams said.

“I miss it because I’m healthy. If I couldn’t walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn’t miss it as much.”

But a return remains unlikely as she focuses on other things, including her family after giving birth to her second daughter in 2023, and business pursuits.

“Hopefully I’ll feel better when I feel like, physically, I’m not able to have wins over some people,” she said.

Related topics

  • Tennis