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Russell included in 2021 Lions squad as Sexton omitted
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Lions assistant coach says issue ‘blown out of proportion’
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 following the former Ireland captain’s previous criticism of the Scotland fly-half.
Sexton toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 but was a surprise omission from Warren Gatland’s squad in 2021. In his autobiography, the former Ireland captain revealed how the snub “kills me to this day” and described Russell as a “media darling” before suggesting in a subsequent interview that he was “flashy”.
Written by Gerard Meagher
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/17/johnny-sexton-finn-russell-british-and-irish-lions under the title “Johnny Sexton insists he is ‘here to help’ Finn Russell despite past Lions criticism”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
