British & Irish Lions' standout player, under fire for flashy moves, sets to cross paths with Johnny Sexton following his controversial comments.
Johnny Sexton braces for chilly reunion with Finn Russell, months after criticizing the Scottish fly-half's selection
Finn Russell bags a spot in the British & Irish Lions' 38-man squad for their upcoming tour to Australia, a trip that's sure to boast an icy reunion with Ireland's Johnny Sexton.
Known as one of Europe's premier fly-halfs, Russell has consistently shone bright for Scotland, notching up nine tries from his 87 caps. Ferring from Gallagher Premiership heavyweights Bath Rugby, Russell gears up for his third Lions stint come June. Intriguingly, Sexton is now part of the coaching team for the Lions.
The brewing confrontation between the pair might intensify during the tour, given Sexton's previous barbs aimed at the Stirling native.
In his book, 'Obsessed: The Autobiography', Sexton took exception to the media's adoration for Russell during the 2021 Six Nations. He questioned whether Russell embodied the Gatland ideal and insinuated he would have made the 2021 Lions squad, had he been selected according to those principles.
Fast forward to an October interview with The Times, Sexton mentioned his top choice for fly-half against Australia this summer: "I'd pick Owen Farrell."
He further elaborated, hinting at the media's fetish for flashy players: "I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, and so on."
Later, when asked about Marcus Smith, Sexton apparently showed a change of heart, labeling Smith a "generational talent." Not so with Russell, who will soon be coached by Sexton during the Lions' summer expedition to Australia.
Maro Itoje will head the Lions side led by Andy Farrell, a two-time Six Nations winner as Ireland's head coach. However, Farrell has excluded his son Owen, who decided to renew his commitment to his family's well-being, taking a break from international rugby in 2023.
Farrell himself cannot return due to his shift to French side Racing 92 last year. Tour rules dictate that players must represent Gallagher Premiership clubs to be eligible for the Red Roses.
Rumor has it that talkSPORT will be the audio broadcast partner for the Lions' 2025 tour, with former England boss Eddie Jones serving on the team.
Rugby Union Insights
- Sexton and Russell have exchanged criticism, with Sexton expressing concern over Russell's selection for the 2021 Lions tour[1]. Russell has responded, though the nature of his response is not detailed[1].
- The British & Irish Lions is a cherished rugby union team that features players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to compete against Southern Hemisphere powerhouses. Competitive banter and public remarks are a common aspect of the team dynamic, especially when it comes to squad selections and performances.
[1] Source: Enrichment Data obtained from search results on public domain databases.
Gallagher, the Premiership heavyweight, has confirmed that Finn Russell, a prominent figure in Scottish rugby, will embark on his third British & Irish Lions tour in June. This tour, set for Australia, may ignite a cold reunion between Russell and Johnny Sexton, currently a coach for the Lions.
Maro Itoje, lead by Andy Farrell, will captain the Lions side in their upcoming tour. Despite Farrell's inclusion, his son Owen, a two-time Six Nations winner, has opted to take a break from international rugby in 2023, hence his exclusion from the squad.
