AUSTIN HEALEY aimed a cheeky dig at Brian O'Driscoll following Johnny Sexton's appointment to the British & Irish Lions. Sexton - who retired from rugby in 2023 - has been recruited by Andy Farrell onto his backroom team for this summer's tour of Australia. The Ireland legend dipped his toe in coaching working part-time with the international side this season. e will now become a full-time coach after agreeing a deal with the IRFU that will see him work with Ireland’s men’s and women’s sides at all levels. Before that, he will join Farrell’s coaching team - that also includes Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty - on the Lions tour. Former teammate Brian O'Driscoll was asked about his appointment while on punditry duty with TNT Sports. And he revealed: "It's big news alright. "It's a secret that I have been holding dearly for a bout a week. "Our sons play rugby together so we'd have quiet conversations so I knew it was coming. "I think he scratched an itch with Ireland back in November and in the Six Nations and now he wants to give it a proper go. "The relationship he has with Andy Farrell is significant." The ex-Ireland and Leinster centre remarked that there would be "a lot of Irish on tour". This led to fellow pundit Austin Healey poking fun at his colleague. He said of the four-time Lion: "You must be massively disappointed you are the only Irishman not being selected." Without missing a beat, BOD clapped back: "I am still going. I am still going. "I will manage to get a trip down there, don't worry about that." Andy Farrell will name his Lions squad on May 8, with a significant Irish influence expected on the field as well as off of it. And Healy quipped: "They have changed the name of the tour now. It's the Irish & British Lions." Speaking about his move into full-time coaching, Johnny Sexton insisted that he was excited by the prospect. He said: “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. “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. “I am hugely excited to continue the next chapter in my coaching journey with the British & Irish Lions and I would like to thank Andy for this incredible opportunity. “It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia and I know from experience the challenges that awaits us. “Playing for the Lions was a huge ambition of mine during my playing career and my memories of those Tours to Australia and New Zealand will stay with me forever.”