'Andy kind of put it to bed' - How Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton buried the hatchet ahead of British & Irish Lions tour
Updated 22/06/2025 at 22:09 GMT+1
Former British & Irish Lion Johnny Sexton had some controversial things to say about Finn Russell in his autobiography, stoking fears that the pair may not work well together during this summer's tour of Australia. With that in mind, we have now found out how Scotland international Russell and Ireland legend Sexton buried the hatchet ahead of a big summer.
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Finn Russell insists any hint of a feud between himself and Ireland great Johnny Sexton was immediately put to bed by British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell.
Former Lion Sexton accused Russell of being "flashy" in his autobiography before insisting that he would select England fly-half Owen Farrell ahead of him in subsequent interviews.
The comments came after Sexton was controversially omitted from the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, with Russell, [Owen] Farrell and Dan Biggar selected ahead of him.
However, Russell insists that the pair have buried the hatchet ahead of this summer's tour of Australia.
Russell is looking forward to his third Lions tour as a player, while Sexton is an assistant coach working alongside Farrell.
"It's just been bit of a craic," Russell told Sky Sports. "It was never a thing.
"When we came in, we had a laugh straight away and Andy kind of put it to bed so that was good.
"Not that it was ever going to be an issue, I don't believe.
"We're all here with the same goal, which is to win the series. I've only been here a few days, but it's been good working with Johnny.
"I'm happy to bounce questions off him and chat to him about what he's seeing.
"With the numbers we've had, he's had to jump in sometimes so it's been quite funny being on the same training side as him.
"It's good to have a guy with his experience here."
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Russell was called up as a replacement for the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017 and was then selected by head coach Warren Gatland for South Africa in 2021.
The Scotland international's last experience with the Lions four years ago was tainted by the COVID-19 pandemic - with matches played in empty stadiums - but he insists every tour has its own strengths and weaknesses.
"New Zealand was still amazing because it was my first time being called up to the Lions," Russell added.
"We weren't there for the whole tour, but to have gone to New Zealand and played was really cool for me.
"And then in 2021 it was special going for the whole time, even though it was [during] Covid.
"We couldn't have family and friends or fans at the game, but it was still amazing in a different way.
"In terms of the boys, we probably got to know each other a little bit better because it was just us in the hotel and whatnot.
"I'm looking forward to what this one's going to be like."
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