Johnny Sexton ‘here to help’ Finn Russell as past criticism put to bed
Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, admitted there is no tension between himself and Finn Russell
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British & Irish Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton insists he is “here to help” Finn Russell after the pair recently shook hands to resolve some past remarks made about the Scotland fly-half.
Sexton, a Lions tourist in 2013 and 2017, was unexpectedly left out of the squad in 2021.
In his autobiography, Sexton expressed disappointment over his omission and labelled Russell as a "media darling," later describing his style as "flashy".
Sexton, who retired following the 2023 World Cup, is part of Andy Farrell’s coaching unit for this summer’s tour to Australia, leading to speculation about an awkward meeting with Russell.
Russell - who staked his claim to be the Lions’ first-choice fly-half in Bath’s Premiership final success over Leicester Tigers last weekend - recently explained that he had spoken to Sexton last month: “We ended up having a laugh about the whole thing,” Russell said. “I certainly don’t bear a grudge against him and we move on.”
And on Monday, Sexton also looked to put any potential feud to bed.
“It’s probably been blown out of proportion, really,” he said. “I was talking about myself in 2021 and how I felt back then, and it was more really about what I thought [Warren] Gatland was thinking as opposed to what I was thinking.
“But look, you have to deal with these types of challenges. It won’t be the last time. We had a handshake and a brief chat. He was racing off because those guys who were playing in finals didn’t stay too long.
“I’m looking forward to catching up with him [Russell]. What the Lions demands of you is that if there is a rivalry – which there’s not, but if there was – you leave it at the door. I’m here to help him now. I’m here to give him experiences. I’m here to answer questions. I’m not here to force myself on him or tell him what to do. It’s not that relationship. I’m here to help.”
Russell and fellow Premiership-winner Will Stuart joined the Lions on Monday, while beaten finalists - Ollie Chessum and Jack van Poortvliet - have also linked up with the squad.
Scrum-half van Poortvilet will fly to Dublin on Tuesday - the destination for the Lions’ first match of 2025 against Argentina on Friday - as cover for Jamison Gibson-Park, who suffered a minor glute strain which saw him pull out of Leinster's United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls last Saturday.
The 12 Leinster players named in Farrell’s squad are all with the Lions, with Tadhg Furlong back in training on Monday.
As for van Poortvilet though, he will provide back-up for fellow scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Tomos Williams, who are likely to feature against the Pumas.
After Friday’s meeting with Argentina, the Lions will arrive in Perth on Sunday before taking on Western Force in their opening tour match on June 28th.
