
Johnny Sexton backs ‘flash' Finn Russell to produce his best on first Lions start
British & Irish Lions
assistant coach
Johnny Sexton
has insisted that
Finn Russell
is still 'flash' but believes the Scotland playmaker has the temperament to shine on his first Test start for the tourists against
Australia
on Saturday.
Sexton described Russell as a 'media darling' and as 'flashy' before he was named as one of
Andy Farrell's
assistant coaches, making for a potentially awkward reunion with Russell upon his appointment.
Russell is taking part in his third Lions tour but makes his first Test start, having impressed off the bench in the series decider against South Africa four years ago, while he played a bit-part role as one of the 'Geography Six' in 2017.
Sexton, who made his Lions debut in Brisbane 12 years ago, admits he has been pleasantly surprised by Russell in Australia and, with the tourists heavy favourites to defeat the Wallabies, believes the Scot can help his side deal with the expectation.
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'Oh, he's still flash, yeah! He'd hate it if I said 'no',' said Sexton. 'But in the last couple of years he's come into his own as a 10 and he's been able to manage a team because ultimately that's the main job that he's got, is to manage all the guys around him. And then his brilliance will come out, once he's into the game.
Finn Russell lines up a kick during the captain's run ahead of the first Test between the Lions and Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
'He has been relaxed as always, you wouldn't know it's the week of a Test match. You can see the work he does, though. You have a perception of him from the outside and I would have said the same, in terms of he is a relaxed guy and just takes things in his stride. But he does a lot of work behind the scenes, and he's been really good this week in prepping the team. Hopefully he'll continue his form.
'Like everyone, I think in the last couple of years he's really matured as a player. You can see, Bath getting to finals, winning trophies, you can't do that if you're just that kind of mercurial 10. You've seen that now this year.
'He's got his team over the line and he's won a few trophies and he's carried that form into here. We always knew, particularly when you're surrounding him with the players he's got around him, he's going to bring the best out of them and they'll bring the best out of him.'
Sexton also praised Russell's defensive capabilities with opponents seemingly targeting him as a weak link to date. 'Well, he's been probably our best defender in the backline on this tour so far, I would say,' added Sexton. 'You always knew that was in there, he's a feisty guy out there.
'Physically he doesn't look that big but he's fronted up big time on this tour, a lot of impact tackles and we'll need him in that regard because they'll be coming down his channel, I'm sure.'
Meanwhile, the Wallabies are confident lightning will not strike twice in Brisbane, 12 years after Kurtley Beale slipped and missed a last-gasp penalty to hand the Lions victory in the first Test. Overnight rain made for wet conditions for Australia's captain's run but Harry Wilson said: 'It's obviously a bit slippery, so it's something we've definitely paid attention to and hope to not make the same mistake.' – Guardian
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Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘This game might be completely different': Andy Farrell warns Lions to expect kick from wounded Wallabies
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Referee : Andrea Piardi (FIR) Assistant referees : Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ben O'Keeffe (NZR) TMO : Eric Gauzins (FFR) FPRO : Marius Jonker (SARU) Overall head-to-head : Played 24. Australia 6 wins. Lions 18 wins Last seven meetings : 2001: Australia 13 Lions 29; Australia 35 Lions 14; Australia 29 Lions 23. 2013: Australia 21 Lions 23; Australia 16 Lions 15; Australia 16 Lions 41. 2025: Australia 19 Lions 27. Forecast : Lions to win.


Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Irish Times
Conor Murray: A Lions whitewash of the Wallabies is on the cards unless Joe Schmidt can turn it around
A British and Irish Lions tour of France would be special. Not at Australia's expense – spread it over 16 years and four countries. This could enhance the Lions concept, in monetary and rugby terms, if Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France offer a once-in-a-generation experience. France ticks so many boxes for the touring players and their families, the fans (and their families), and broadcasters in the northern hemisphere, who would avoid the nine-hour time difference. Is it do or die for Australia in the second test against the Lions? Listen | 32:21 Imagine the Lions visiting French rugby hotbeds such as Toulouse, Clermont and Perpignan, with test matches in Barcelona and Paris. Any concerns about it being too parochial could be avoided by cementing Argentina and Fiji into the schedule every four years. 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For good reason – the Lions were ruthless in the opening 50 minutes. Maro Itoje's pack and the connection between Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell proved too much for Australia to contain. It makes you wonder how the Lions would be holding up entering a first Test in Paris having been through the wringer at Stade Marcel-Michelin following some midweek wars in Bayonne and Bordeaux. There will be an emotional response from Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where 100,000 people might have shown up if they led the series 1-0. Australia's Harry Wilson dives over for a try during the Autumn Nations Series match between England and Australia at Twickenham in November 2024. Photograph:But here we are. Last November, after beating England at Twickenham, it looked like Schmidt would turn Australia into a seriously difficult side to beat. The problem with a seven-month break is all the group's momentum is gone. 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RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- RTÉ News
John Fogarty: No Farrell family favouritism for Owen under Lions boss Andy
The familial bond between head coach Andy Farrell and playmaker son Owen looms large over the British and Irish Lions as they prepare for the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday. However, the dynamic between the pair has been strictly professional since Owen's late call-up into his father's squad, according to Lions scrum coach John Fogarty. Owen Farrell missed out on selection for the first Test win in Brisbane but the former England captain has been named in the reserves for the clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow morning (11am Irish time). Farrell and his father have shared plenty of changing rooms, including during the Lions' 2013 tour of Australia, when Andy was defence coach and Owen came off the bench to help the tourists win the third Test decider in Sydney. The family ties make for an interesting sub-plot as the pair could celebrate another series win at the MCG on Saturday. In the team environment, though, their special relationship is virtually imperceptible, said Fogarty. "When we're training or when we're in a rugby setting, there's no difference between any player and Owen," Fogarty told reporters on Friday. "It's just the same relationship as any player and coach. If you didn't know it was his son, you wouldn't really get it. "You wouldn't really think he was his son. He doesn't treat him in any way differently. "They're two professionals." The coach's decision to call up Owen as a replacement for injured full-back Elliot Daly proved polarising despite the fly-half-cum-centre's leadership and experience of three previous Lions tours. Farrell had, after all, not played a Test for England since 2023 and endured an injury-blighted season with French club Racing 92. But few have questioned the 33-year-old's selection for the Melbourne Test following his strong, 80-minute performance at inside centre in the mid-week win over the First Nations & Pasifika XV. Farrell's versatility and experience could prove valuable for the Lions on Saturday should the Test prove tight and tense deep into the second half. The players will hear a familiar voice out on the field. "He has huge respect from the other players," Fogarty said. "When he talks, he talks sense, like his dad. "There's similarities between the two of them. They're natural leaders. That's very visible when they both interact with players."