Johnny Sexton damning verdict of Scotland fly-half Finn Russell
Rugby NewsTuesday, 25 February 2025 at 14:14
Johnny Sexton isn’t done throwing shade. The former Ireland captain has taken yet another swipe at Scotland’s Finn Russell, branding the playmaker as “flashy” in a new interview.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The 39-year-old, who hung up his boots after last year’s World Cup, has been making waves with his explosive new autobiography.
He pulls no punches, calling Rieko Ioane a “fake humbler f***er,” reigniting his war of words with Ronan O’Gara by labeling him a “coward,” and slamming the British & Irish Lions setup under Warren Gatland as “crazy” and “unprofessional.”
Sexton’s Lions snub still stings
One section of the book sees Sexton reflect on missing out on the 2021 Lions tour—a decision that still “kills” him. With Gatland opting for Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar, and Russell ahead of him, the Irish legend suggests the Scotland star’s selection had more to do with media hype than rugby pedigree.
“Finn Russell was the darling of the media during that year’s Six Nations, but he didn’t look like a Gatland player to me,” Sexton writes. “If Gats was true to his ideals, I was in.”
More digs at Russell
Speaking to The Times, Sexton doubled down on his views while weighing in on who should wear the No.10 jersey for next year’s Lions tour to Australia. Predictably, he backed Farrell—while taking a not-so-subtle shot at Russell.
“I’d pick Owen Farrell,” he said. “Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy…”
But then came a change of heart. Sexton suddenly spared Smith from the “flashy” tag, leaving Russell as the only one in his firing line.
“Marcus, I think, is a generational talent. He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well. I think he can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things.”
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- Scotland fans want game replayed after referee ‘cost’ Finn Russell as unseen clip goes viral
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Five British and Irish Lions hopefuls who FLOPPED in Six Nations round three
Steve Borthwick’s men survived a late scare as Finn Russell’s conversion slid wide, allowing them to snatch their first win over Scotland since 2020. Meanwhile, Wales looked revitalized under Matt Sherratt, producing their best display of the tournament so far.
But who had a weekend to forget? RUCK Editor Steve Smith takes a look at five players who struggled in round three.
Henry Slade – England
So much talent, yet another disappointing display on the international stage. Slade had a torrid time against Scotland, missing key tackles that left England exposed.
His defensive lapses piled pressure on his teammates, while his attacking contribution was minimal—offering little creativity in midfield. With fierce competition for places, could this be the end of the road for him under Steve Borthwick?
Nowhere near the Lions conversation right now.
Finn Russell – Scotland
A night to forget for Scotland’s co-captain. While his passing and movement constantly tested England’s defence, his goal-kicking proved costly.
In a game of fine margins, his missed kicks—especially the late conversion that drifted wide—ultimately defined the result. A fly-half of his quality is expected to deliver in clutch moments, and he’ll know he left points behind. Scotland fans won’t let this one slide easily.
The Lions will want their No. 10 to be reliable off the tee. Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast are breathing down his neck.
Jack Dempsey – Scotland
Struggled to make his mark in an intense physical battle. He carried with intent but was let down by handling errors and poor decision-making at key moments.
Scotland needed stability in the back row, but Dempsey was too often on the fringes rather than in the thick of it. A frustrating afternoon where his effort wasn’t matched by execution, leaving Scotland’s pack without the control he was expected to bring.
The No. 8 jersey for the Lions remains up for grabs, though Caelan Doris leads the charge for the 2025 tour.
Dan Sheehan – Ireland
A rare off-day for one of Ireland’s most consistent performers. His lineout throwing remains a concern, with Ireland struggling to secure clean ball at crucial moments.
In open play, he was quieter than usual, failing to make his trademark impact with ball in hand. At times, he looked to force things, leading to unnecessary handling errors. With Rónan Kelleher waiting in the wings, this wasn’t the performance Sheehan needed.
He had been the frontrunner for the Lions No. 2 shirt, but strong form from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elliot Dee has ramped up the competition.
Alex Mitchell – England
A frustrating afternoon for the England scrum-half. His box-kicking lacked accuracy, failing to relieve pressure or put Scotland on the back foot. England’s attack looked sluggish in the first half, with Mitchell’s slow service contributing to their struggles.
He added more tempo after the break, but by then, the damage was done. With England’s half-back situation under scrutiny, this display won’t have strengthened his claim as Borthwick’s long-term No. 9. The Twickenham crowd’s lukewarm reception said it all.
Right now, he’s trailing behind Ben White, Tomos Williams, and Jamison Gibson-Park in the Lions pecking order.
EDITORS PICKS
- Scotland fans want game replayed after referee ‘cost’ Finn Russell as unseen clip goes viral
- 2025 Six Nations Team of the Week: Round 3
- “Show the crowd some emotion and ambition”- Matt Sherratt and Jac Morgan react to Irish defeat
- Ben Curry issues injury update on ‘unbelievable’ twin Tom after win over Scotland in Six Nations
- Antoine Dupont didn’t hesitate when naming his toughest opponent so far
QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?
England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.
England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!
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