Johnny Sexton reveals he's received multiple offers to come out of retirement and return to rugby

Despite receiving offers from overseas clubs, reportedly in Japan and the USA, the 38-year-old turned down the opportunity to come out of retirement.

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The 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year retired after Ireland’s quarter-final loss to New Zealand in Paris, where he played the full 80 minutes at fly-half in his final match. Though several foreign clubs showed interest, Sexton ultimately declined their offers.

"I made the decision long before the World Cup that this was going to be my last," the 118-cap veteran told BBC Sport NI. "I had a couple of offers to go abroad and play, but that didn't appeal to me, really."

Sexton admitted he could have been persuaded to stay on had Leinster extended his contract beyond the World Cup.

"I might have been tempted had Leinster said to me to maybe stay on for the end of the season, but they didn’t," he explained. "I didn’t really, I suppose, have the option."

Sexton remains one of the most decorated players in Irish rugby history, with an illustrious career that spanned over a decade.

He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from University College Dublin in 2012 and is now applying that qualification as a Commercial Manager for Ardagh Group, a multi-billion-pound glass and metal company.

Ardagh Group operates globally, with headquarters in Luxembourg, and is recognized as a leading provider of infinitely recyclable glass and metal packaging solutions for major global brands. The company boasts 63 facilities, 20,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding £7 billion.

As Sexton transitions from rugby, his outstanding leadership skills will likely prove valuable in the business world.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he has held the title of Commercial Manager since April 2021, and now, with his rugby career behind him, he can fully focus on this role.

From high-profile marriages to lucrative endorsements and television appearances, these rugby stars have built financial empires.

Here’s a look at three couples who have combined their sporting legacies with fame and fortune, amassing millions along the way.

Mike Tindall is known not just for his rugby prowess but for his royal connections. As the husband of Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Tindall has become a prominent figure in British media.

Nicknamed “The Fridge” due to his imposing physique, Tindall was a stalwart on the rugby field, famously breaking his nose at least eight times over the course of his career. Since retiring from the sport, he’s made a name for himself in the entertainment world, appearing on popular reality shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club, and All-Star Poker Challenge

Despite his success in sports and entertainment, Tindall’s wealth has been largely bolstered by his royal ties, with his net worth estimated at £20 million, according to British media.

Jonny Wilkinson is a legendary figure in English rugby, with a career spanning 12 seasons at Newcastle Falcons before his move to French club Toulon in 2009. Wilkinson cemented his place in history by leading England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, becoming a national hero in the process.

In his personal life, Wilkinson has kept a lower profile. He married his long-time girlfriend, Shelley Jenkins, in a private ceremony on the French Riviera in October 2013. The couple now has a son, reportedly named James, and maintain a relatively private family life. Wilkinson's net worth stands at £22 million, making him one of rugby's wealthiest figures.

Sonny Bill Williams is a sporting icon from New Zealand, famed not only for his rugby achievements but also for his ventures into boxing. Known for his versatility, Williams has excelled in both rugby union and rugby league, playing as a centre and second-rower, respectively. Additionally, his brief yet successful stint in professional boxing saw him win nine out of 10 heavyweight bouts.

In 2013, Williams married Alana Raffie after a whirlwind four-week romance, following Islamic traditions despite admitting that they were not in love at the time. Their union has since become one of the most talked-about in sports. With a combination of earnings from rugby, boxing, and endorsements, the couple's net worth is reported to be around £20 million.