Johnny Sexton to make dramatic return to Ireland set-up?

Johnny Sexton has being linked with a return to rugby as the new Ireland skills and kicking coach, a move that would be his first coaching job in the game.

Sexton called time on an illustrious playing career after Ireland were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup in October 2023 and was soon linked with a job within the Irish set-up when attack coach Mike Catt said that he was leaving.

Then IRFU high-performance director David Nucifora said: “He has got to decide what floats his boat over the next period of time, but if he ever chose to come back into coaching, the Irish system would be mad to say no to him.”

The Leinster, Ireland and Bristish and Irish Lions legend, who clocked up over 1,100 points in Test rugby, opted for a career outside the sport as commercial manager for a multi-billion pound glass and metal company, Ardagh Group.

Ireland will have a new-look coaching set-up after Catt left in the summer to join the NSW Waratahs as an assistant coach. The 39-year-old Sexton was linked with being Catt’s replacement until Andrew Goodman stepped in to replace him for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series on a contract that runs to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Simon Easterby will become Ireland interim head coach for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations and summer tour when Andy Farrell takes a sabbatical in December to prepare to take charge of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer.

Decorated Leinster legend Sexton could now decide that the time is right to take his first steps in coaching. Even on a part-time basis, it would be a hugely popular move with Ireland fans while he continues to work on his interests outside of rugby.