Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton.Billy Stickland/INPHO hear me roar Johnny Sexton to join Lions’ coaching staff this summer and Ireland’s full-time next season The 39-year-old has been coaching part-time with Ireland this season. 9.52am, 17 Apr 2025 Share options IRELAND LEGEND JOHNNY Sexton has been named as part of Andy Farrell’s coaching staff for this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. The IRFU has also confirmed that Sexton will move into a full-time coaching role with Farrell’s Ireland next season, as well as working with “various men’s and women’s national age-grade sides.” Lions head coach Farrell, who is currently on a break from his role with Ireland to lead the tourists this summer, had already named three of his Irish assistant coaches as part of the Lions set-up. Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty were all confirmed as Lions assistant coaches last month. Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond, Ireland’s head of athletic performance and head of analysis, were also previously announced as part of the Lions set-up. They will now be joined by former Ireland and Leinster out-half Sexton, who is still in his first season as a coach. The 42 understands that Sexton will take up a role as the Lions’ kicking coach. Sexton joined the Ireland set-up on a part-time basis this season to work on their kicking game and mentor their out-halves, while continuing to work full-time with the packaging company Ardagh Group. However, Farrell has a strong relationship with Sexton and clearly appreciates the value the 39-year-old can bring as a coach. “I coached Johnny for the very first time during the 2013 Lions Tour to Australia and the love that he had for the British & Irish Lions was reflected in how he operated on a daily basis,” said Farrell as Sexton’s Lions role was confirmed. “His influence on that Lions team and that series win, our only win in the last 24 years, should not be underestimated. “His fight and his dedication as a player is something that he will bring to this Lions tour and I know that the players will relish his experience and expertise alongside all of our assistant coaches.” Sexton has been working part-time with Ireland.Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Sexton was appointed as Ireland’s full-time captain for the first time by Farrell, taking on the role in 2020 at the age of 34 and calling it “the biggest honour of my career.” Advertisement Sexton, who was World Rugby player of the year in 2018, went on to lead Ireland to the Grand Slam in 2023. He retired from playing after Ireland’s quarter-final exit at the 2023 World Cup and initially stated that he wouldn’t be moving into coaching. Sexton expressed reservations about immediately working with players who had been team-mates so recently, but Farrell and the IRFU convinced him to take on the part-time role with Ireland this season. That initially meant only working directly with Ireland on specific days during the training week and not being with the team on match days. But when Sexton travelled with Ireland to their pre-Six Nations training camp in Portugal, it indicated a step up in involvement and by the end of the championship, he was part of their match day staff. Sexton was not named on the interim Ireland coaching team for this summer’s Tests against Georgia and Portugal, which will be led by interim head coach Paul O’Connell. Initially, that suggested that Sexton might take a step back from the hands-on coaching with Ireland, but instead he will have a busy summer in Australia with the Lions. Sexton toured with the Lions as a player in 2013 and 2017, playing in all six Tests, but missed out on featuring in 2021, a huge disappointment for him. Now, he will get his shot at being involved in a third Lions tour. Thereafter, Sexton will move into a full-time position with the IRFU. The Irish union says Sexton will have an “expanded coaching role” working with various teams, including Farrell’s senior men’s team. “I am excited to join the IRFU on a full-time basis and am extremely passionate about the opportunity to work with current and future players,” said Sexton. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have great coaches, who nurtured and developed my skills, and I am keen to share my experiences with the next generation and help them achieve their goals. “The level of investment and focus on the pathways in Ireland is really encouraging and I believe the future is really bright for men’s and women’s rugby in Ireland.” Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here. View 13 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Johnny Sexton to join Lions’ coaching staff this summer and Ireland’s full-time next season”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Johnny Sexton to join Lions’ coaching staff this summer and Ireland’s full-time next season”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion andy farrell hear me roar Johnny Sexton News in 60 seconds disinformation Government to tackle 'global scourge' of disinformation as minister warns of 'threat to democracy' 'Unsettled' conditions expected for Easter weekend as rainfall warnings issued for nine counties 25 mins ago The skipper stays Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk follows Mo Salah's lead and signs new two-year contract 26 mins ago influencers Hozier joins Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Snoop Dogg on Time’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ list The Daily Poll Should it be harder to make objections to housing developments? Opinion Poll Sinn Féin is again the most popular party as public gives thumbs down to FF-FG deal with Lowry Good Morning The 9 at 9: Thursday Whistleblower told Simon Harris to ‘shut down’ Farrelly Commission in 2019 Carrigallen Teenager who died in Co Leitrim tractor crash is named locally media freedom 'I was just doing my job': Judge throws out landlord's attempt to 'gag' Irish Independent journalist Snowfall reported in high areas of eastern counties, as rainy few days forecast more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online