Johnny Sexton explains ‘flashy’ Finn Russell comments as Scottish trio make Lions history

Johnny Sexton has heaped praise on Finn Russell, as the mercurial Lions fly half prepares to run the show against the Wallabies under the intense pressure of a Brisbane first Test cauldron.

Given he started at fly half in the opening Brisbane Test in 2013, Sexton knows all about being the focus for opposition defences in the famous Lions No10 jersey.

And with Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt having previously been the Ireland coach, he will be acutely aware of the importance of Russell to the Lions and will target him.

Sexton, one of the Lions assistant coaches explained: "I'm sure Joe [Schmidt] will have a plan because he knows how integral [Finn] is to our team, I'm sure he'll be doing everything to put him off.

"Finn's probably been our best defender in the backline on this tour so far I would say. That's the thing, you always knew that it was in there with him, 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 tomorrow in that regard because they'll be coming down his channel, I'm sure. 

"We have Gary Keegan (Performance coach) here this week and he's been busy in terms of getting the Lions ready mentally and getting them ready to come into what will be a cauldron tomorrow."

If Russell is feeling the heat, he is not showing it according to Sexton whose own views over the maverick Scotland No10 have changed over the years. 

Following Sexton's retirement from rugby, he released an autobiography detailing his disappointment of missing out on selection for the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa.

But it was his comments on Russell, suggesting he was only selected ahead of Sexton because he was 'flashy' and 'the darling of the media', that made headlines all over the world.

However, Sexton addressed those comments and also praised the world class fly half Russell has evolved into.

Sexton said: "Oh he's still flashy, he'd hate it if I said [he wasn't]. See you've got to remember that I was talking about Gatland [in my book] and saying what I thought he would be thinking, not what I thought.

"I think in the last couple of years, Finn's really come into his own as a 10, being able to manage the team because ultimately that's the main role tomorrow – to manage all the guys around him. And then his brilliance will come out, once he's in the game.

"He's been relaxed as always, you wouldn't know it's a 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 had the same in terms of how he's a relaxed guy and just takes things in his stride.

"He does a lot of work behind the scenes and he's been really good this week in terms of prepping the team. Because ultimately as a 10, you need the guys around you, you need to know what you're doing together and he's done a great job of that so far. Hopefully he'll continue his form. 

"Yeah he has [surprised me], he's really matured as a player. You can see it with Bath getting to finals and winning trophies, you can't do that if you're just that mercurial 10. You've seen that this year in particular, he's got his team over the line and 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 has around him, it was going to bring the best out of him. I'm hoping that he continues tomorrow and has a good one."

Russell is up against test rookie Tom Lynagh, son of Wallaby great Michael.

The young Queensland Reds No10 has the massive job of getting the home side off to a winning start in a series that sees them run out at Brisbane without key forwards Will Skelton and Robert Valetini.

Sexton said: "[Tom's] inexperienced in terms of the international arena, I think he's come off the bench three times. It's his first start so it's a big ask for him isn't it, but what a story from his point of view. 

"To come from the Lynagh family is obviously a bit of pressure straight away but he seems like a calm head and a mature guy. He seems like he's going to be able to manage the game well in terms of what Joe will be asking him to do and I hope he goes well because you never want to see any 10s go badly but hopefully not too well."

Sexton has played under head coach Andy Farrell on a Lions tour and believes his team talk will be crucial in getting the current players ready for the battle ahead. 

The 2018 World Player of the Year added: "He's obviously in this role for a reason because he's had a good few years as head coach [of Ireland]. He's shown over the course of his career that he's a man for these types of occasions. I've mentioned it many times before – the team talks that he gives on days like tomorrow will be special, they'll live with you forever. So he's an inspirational guy but on the other side of it, he comes up with good plans and hopefully we'll be on the right side of it tomorrow.

"The [Andy Farrell team talk] that sticks out in my memory was when Andy talked about what he felt as an Englishman on the first time coming to Croke Park, which was amazing to hear when he was coaching the Irish team. I've had lots of them over the years and I'm sure he'll have something well scripted for the guys tomorrow."

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The first Test is at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and is scheduled to kick off at 11pm UK time, which is 8pm locally.

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