Johnny Sexton reveals the key reasons why he got into coaching
Johnny Sexton has lifted the lid on why he decided to return to the game as a coach over the past 12 months.
The former Leinster and Ireland out-half retired after Ireland's World Cup quarter-final defeat by the All Blacks in October 2023 and Sexton would later declare in his autobiography that he had no intention of moving of moving into coaching.
But the 39-year-old had a change of heart late last year and linked up with Andy Farrell's backroom team in a part-time role ahead of the autumn internationals as well as this year's Six Nations. Johnny Sexton has lifted the lid on why he decided to return to the game as a coach over the past 12 months. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Sexton is part of Farrell coaching team for the Lions series in Australia and he will become a full-time member of the Irish coaching ticket next season.
And the former Ireland captain revealed that he is loving the new day job.
'That's why I decided to go into it, because I loved it,' he said. Sexton is part of Farrell coaching team for the Lions series in Australia and he will become a full-time member of the Irish coaching ticket next season. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
'Last November, Andy asked me to come in and help out. He thought the kickers and young No10s needed a little bit of help, so I did as much as I could with my work.'He then asked me to come in for the Six Nations, and it was maybe a little bit more, but not much. I loved it, I loved being back in an environment where I was comfortable.'It was really enjoyable and then obviously got the phone call from Faz to do both roles and it would obviously have to be full-time and I jumped at it.
'It's something I kind of always wanted to get into deep down and the reason I didn't was I didn't really want to coach lads I'd played with so that break was good for me, albeit that it was only for a full year and the other reason was because I'm not the guy who wants to go and travel, go to France, go to New Zealand, a bit like (Ronan) O'Gara has done. The former Ireland captain revealed that he is loving the new day job. Pic:'I don't want to do that. I want to be in Ireland but I've got to concentrate on the here and now. That's ultimately how I made the decision, I've got to make myself happy here and now, and not worry about the future.
'If it's only for two years, it's only for two years. We'll see what happens, just enjoy the moment and try to make the most of it.'
Sexton, a former World Player of the Year, also shed some light on his coaching role during the looming Lions tour.
'It's a little bit of everything really, it depends on what person you're working with and what form they're in. It depends on whether they need a little bit of help or it they're in a good place. Johnny Sexton during a training session with the British & Irish Lions at UCD Bowl in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
'The first week has just been getting to know Marcus and Fin Smith. I've played against Marcus a couple of times, I don't think I've played against Fin Smith.'Remarkably talented, great characters, great people. I've got to know that over the first week and I'm looking forward to working with them.
'How we progress this week, it's trying to get to know how they kick the ball, what are their cues, if they miss, what do they want to hear. Do they want technical information? All those things. I'm getting to know them and try work it our that way.'
As regards coaching some of his former teammates, Sexton is adjusting to his new role.
'Yeah you can see the pros and cons,' he added. As regards coaching some of his former teammates, Sexton is adjusting to his new role. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
'Obviously I know these guys really well but, with that, comes a challenge, in how you deal with them, particularly when they're friends.
'And it's the same thing when you're meeting people for the first time, there's pros and cons with that. You have to try to get to know them as people, get to know their strengths and weaknesses.
'Sometimes you can have a perception of a player from what you see through a TV screen and no matter how much footage you can watch and then you can see something different live. You can see a different person to what you expected. I'm enjoying being back, that's the main thing.
'Hopefully I can add value because that's ultimately what you want when you come into a job. You want to feel like you're making a difference and I want the players to say, 'he's been good for me'. I want to impart some of the knowledge that I've picked up over 17 years as a pro, to give it back.'
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