Ireland legend Johnny Sexton has brutally dismissed the prospect of Marcus Smith or Finn Russell starting for the Lions in their Test series with Australia this summer. Rugby’s most fabled touring team will head to Australia for the first time since 2013 when they recorded a 2-1 win under then-head coach Warren Gatland.
The New Zealander also presided over the drawn series in his homeland four years later, and the 2-1 loss in South Africa in 2021 when the tour was affected by Covid regulations.
This time it’s Andy Farrell at the helm, having taken a sabbatical from his role of Ireland coach for this year’s Six Nations.
One of the Englishman’s key decisions will centre around who he selects as his first-choice No.10, with son Owen currently not playing international rugby following his move to Racing 92 in France. In his absence, Smith played as an outside half in Ireland before switching to full-back for the wins over France and Scotland.
The 26-year-old has largely impressed, despite handing over the kicking duties to namesake Fin during the French clash after two straightforward misses off the tee. Russell, meanwhile, has come under fire for his own place-kicking problems, botching a last-minute conversion that cost Scotland the Calcutta Cup on Saturday.
And Sexton doesn’t want either of them playing as the pivot come the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19. Instead, he wants Farrell to ignore potential criticism over favouritism towards his family.
“I’d pick Owen Farrell,” he told The Times. “Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy guys.”
Sexton, controversially omitted from Gatland’s squad four years ago, did offer context over the jibe at Smith. However, there were no words of solace for Russell, who was blasted for being seen joking with opposition players in an England top just minutes after his Twickenham heartbreak.
“Marcus, I think, is a generational talent,” added Sexton. “He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well. I think he can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things.”
Farrell Jnr has already toured with the Lions in 2013, 2017, and 2021. In the third Test in New Zealand, he enjoyed a moment to go down in folklore, nailing a late penalty from halfway to salvage a dramatic draw.
Since his retirement after the 2023 World Cup, Sexton has been vociferous with his views and has courted controversy in his new autobiography. He slated Gatland’s decision to overlook him in favour of Farrell, Russell and Dan Biggar in 2021, suggesting the Scot being picked had more to do with media hype than form.
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