Sexton joins Lions backroom team before starting new Ireland role

Former Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton will subordinate Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions coaching squad for this summer's circuit of Australia.

Sexton, who retired aft nan 2023 Rugby World Cup, played connected 2 Lions tours successful 2013 and 2017.

The five-time Six Nations victor has been moving pinch Ireland successful a casual coaching capacity since past November's Autumn Nations Series and will return up a full-time position pinch nan Irish Rugby Football Union from 1 August.

His caller domiciled pinch nan IRFU will impact coaching nan elder men's team, while he will besides activity pinch various men's and women's age-grade sides.

"I americium hugely excited to proceed nan adjacent section successful my coaching travel pinch nan British and Irish Lions and I would for illustration to convey Andy for this unthinkable opportunity," said Sexton.

"It promises to beryllium an breathtaking circuit to Australia and I cognize from acquisition nan challenges that awaits us.

"Playing for nan Lions was a immense ambition of excavation during my playing profession and my memories of those Tours to Australia and New Zealand will enactment pinch maine forever."

The British and Irish Lions will look Argentina successful a send-off crippled successful Dublin connected 20 June earlier travelling to Australia.

The 3 Tests against nan Wallabies will return spot connected 19 July, 26 July and 2 August.

Sexton, 39, started each 3 Tests of nan Lions' 2013 bid triumph complete Australia and a further 2 successful nan drawn bid pinch New Zealand successful 2017, but was overlooked for action successful 2021.

The 2018 world subordinate of nan twelvemonth earned 118 Ireland caps and captained nan squad to a bid triumph complete nan All Blacks successful New Zealand successful 2022 and nan Six Nations Grand Slam successful 2023.

"I coached Johnny for nan very first clip during nan 2013 circuit to Australia and nan emotion that he had for nan British and Irish Lions was reflected successful really he operated connected a regular basis," said Farrell, who besides coached Sexton pinch Ireland.

"His power connected that Lions squad and that Series win, our only triumph successful nan past 24 years, cannot beryllium underestimated.

"His conflict and his dedication arsenic a subordinate is thing that he will bring to this Lions Tour and I cognize that nan players will relish his acquisition and expertise alongside each of our adjunct coaches."

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

Farrell described adding Sexton arsenic a "significant coup".

"It was clear from moving together during nan caller Autumn Nations Series that he has nan talent and skillset to adhd to our coaching squad pinch Ireland and I cognize really driven he is to adhd to nan Lions, firstly this summer, and past connected a full-time ground pinch Ireland later this year," added Farrell.

IRFU capacity head David Humphreys said he is "delighted" to person secured Sexton's services connected a semipermanent basis.

"I judge that he will play an important domiciled successful sharing his coaching insights pinch antheral and female players from nan Age Grade strategy correct up to nan Ireland nationalist teams," said Humphreys.

"In formally welcoming Johnny to nan IRFU I would besides for illustration to congratulate him connected his action pinch nan British & Irish Lions.

"I person nary uncertainty that nan acquisition gained connected this circuit will greatly use him arsenic he originates his full-time coaching profession successful nan months and years to come."