Johnny Sexton has dismissed media speculation surrounding his relationship with Finn Russell, stating that his previous comments about the Scotland fly-half have been "blown out of proportion". Sexton, who will serve as the Lions' kicking coach this summer, emphasized that he is looking forward to collaborating with Russell and helping him succeed on the tour.

Media Speculation and Rivalry

In his autobiography, Sexton had previously suggested that Russell's media popularity played a role in Warren Gatland's decision to select him for the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa. Later, in a newspaper interview, Sexton stated he would have chosen Owen Farrell over Russell for the upcoming tour. However, Sexton clarified that these comments were more about his own experiences and perceptions at the time, rather than a direct critique of Russell.

"There's a lot been made of the whole situation, primarily by the media," Sexton said. "I don't even think it's what I wrote in the book, it's more the comments I said when doing media for the book, but it's probably been blown out of proportion really."

A New Chapter: Coaching and Collaboration

Sexton revealed that he and Russell have already shared a handshake and a brief chat during the Lions' initial camp. He praised Russell's performance in the recent Premiership final, describing it as "outstanding". Sexton stressed that any perceived rivalry would be left at the door, as his primary focus is to support Russell and the team.

"I'm here to help him now, I'm here to give him experiences, to answer questions," Sexton explained. "I'm not here to force myself or tell him what to do, it's not that relationship. I'm here to help."

Sexton's Coaching Philosophy

Despite his limited coaching experience, Sexton believes his extensive playing career—spanning 17 years with its highs and lows—positions him well to guide the Lions' players. He expressed a passion for helping players navigate tough games and challenges, drawing from his own experiences of being dropped, injured, and overlooked.

"I'm an inexperienced coach but I probably have seen it all in terms of rugby," Sexton said. "Being here to help those guys when they have a tough game, being able to help them out and pick them up is something I'm quite passionate about."

Embracing the Challenge

Sexton admitted to feeling daunted by the rapid transition from player to coach, particularly given his recent retirement in 2023. However, he viewed the opportunity to join Andy Farrell's coaching team as an honor he couldn't refuse.

"As a player, I always would have doubted myself," Sexton reflected. "It's no different now. You're going in, you want to prove yourself, you want to show that you can bring value."

Sexton concluded that turning down the role would have been a lifelong regret, and he is committed to making the most of this new chapter in his rugby career.