‘We had a laugh about it' – Finn Russell reveals Johnny Sexton rivalry was ‘put to bed' by Andy Farrell after book jabs
FINN RUSSELL is glad to be in the same corner as his former out-half rival Johnny Sexton in the Lions' quest for a series triumph in Australia.
When the Lions toured South
Africa
four years ago,
3
Finn Russell opened up on his reunion with Johnny Sexton
Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
3
Johnny Sexton called Russell the darling of the media in his book
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
3
They are now working together with the Lions
Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The Kiwi also drafted
Addressing this topic in his autobiography 'Obsessed', Sexton said Scottish place-kicker Russell had been 'the darling of the media' during the 2021
Last October, Sexton called Russell 'flashy' and stated he would choose Farrell as Lions No 10.
Sexton is now working with Russell in his capacity as an assistant coach to
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Yet the pair stressed in recent
interviews
that there was no bad blood and Russell reiterated the point after the
The Scot said: 'It was never a thing almost. When we came in we had a laugh straight away and Andy kind of put it to bed, so that was good — not that it was ever going to be an issue, I don't believe.
'We're all here with the same goal, which is to win the series.
'It's been good working with Johnny.
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'I'm happy to bounce questions off him and chat to him about what he's seeing, because with the numbers we've had he's had to jump in sometimes.
'So it's been quite
funny
being on the same training side.
'Cried like a baby didn't ya-' - Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up
'It's good to have a guy with experience here. All the coaches seem open to have conversations and have chats. It's a good environment to be in.'
There is a strong Irish presence within the Lions squad.
Following the addition of
Australia
.
The fact there are so many people from the one set-up — five of the seven Lions coaches for the tour also come from the Irish group — could make it difficult to break down barriers in a squad that draws players from four nations.
However, Russell does not see that being an issue.
He said: 'I wouldn't say there's barriers. Players are going to have players they're more friendly with.
'If you've got a pair of old Leinster boys, you know each other very well.
'I know the Scottish boys, English guys know the English guys and the Welsh are the same.
'You're always going to get these pockets where you're more comfortable with each other. Over the last few days everyone's mixing really well.
'When you get into it you become a team so quickly. It does change so quickly and you build these
relationships
so quickly.
'Whether they're an Irish set-up or an English, Scottish or whatever it is, I don't think it makes too much of a difference. We're all here with the same goal and trying to pull in the same direction.'
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