Johnny Sexton has insisted he is “here to help” Finn Russell in his capacity as British & Irish Lions assistant coach, after the pair shook hands and cleared the air last month. The former Ireland captain had previously criticised the Scotland fly-half in his autobiography, describing Russell as a “media darling” and suggesting he was “flashy”.
Sexton, who toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 but was omitted from the 2021 squad, was added to Andy Farrell’s coaching staff for the tour of Australia this summer. The pair had a brief catch-up at the first squad get-together last month, with Russell explaining that the air had been cleared. “We ended up having a laugh about the whole thing,” Russell said. “I certainly don’t bear a grudge against him and we move on.”
Sexton is adamant he will do all he can to assist Russell, who joined the Lions squad in Dublin on Monday after celebrating Bath’s Premiership final victory. “It’s probably been blown out of proportion,” Sexton said. “I was talking about myself in 2021 and how I felt back then. We had a handshake and a brief chat. I’m here to help him now. I’m here to give him experiences. I’m here to answer questions.”
Along with Russell, Bath’s Will Stuart and Leicester’s Ollie Chessum have joined the squad, as well as 12 Leinster players following their URC final victory. Only Toulouse’s Blair Kinghorn is absent from the 38-man touring party. Tadhg Furlong joined training on Monday, while Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park sat out the morning session along with James Ryan.
Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour are due back in England’s training camp on Tuesday and will not be considered for the Lions’ warm-up match against Argentina on Friday. Henry Arundell has been omitted from the England squad preparing for the match against a France XV. Owen Farrell has completed his return to Saracens after a season with Racing 92, joining on an initial two-year deal before moving to the coaching staff.
