Johnny Sexton picks his Lions fly-half for 2025 tour

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Sexton, who called time on his glittering playing career after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was a key figure across two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017. The five-time Six Nations champion has been working in a casual coaching role with Ireland since last November and will officially take up a full-time position with the Irish Rugby Football Union from 1 August.

Now 39 and firmly focused on coaching, Sexton has already made his feelings clear about who should wear the Lions' famous number 10 jersey against the Wallabies.

“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…”

Interestingly, Sexton quickly corrected himself, making sure to heap praise on England’s Marcus Smith, despite his earlier comments.

“Marcus, I think, is a generational talent. I actually wouldn’t really include him. He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well,” he said.

“I think he can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things.”

Sexton also offered a glowing endorsement of Owen Farrell’s quality, suggesting that if the England skipper were Irish, he'd already be considered a legend.

“If Owen Farrell were Irish, he’d be considered the greatest player that we’ve had. An amazing competitor,” he added.

“But for some reason he just didn’t get that [respect]. He’s one of the best team-mates I’ve ever had. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. It’s tough to see him not playing international rugby.

“He’s someone that should be playing international rugby still and captaining England. I have nothing but admiration for him. When you know him as a person, you see the real Owen Farrell.”

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