Ireland is facing the daunting task of moving forward without Johnny Sexton, who recently announced his retirement.
The 38-year-old fly-half ended his professional career following the disappointing World Cup quarter-final loss to the All Blacks. Despite the defeat, Sexton received a warm welcome upon the team’s return to Ireland last week.
Now, attention turns to what lies ahead for Sexton after a successful 17-year career. He achieved great success with Leinster, winning four Champions Cups, and with Ireland, winning four Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams in 2018 and 2023.
While it seems likely that Sexton will pursue a business career, recent reports suggest that a coaching career may be on the horizon sooner than expected. The Sunday Times’ Peter O’Reilly reveals that Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt is set to leave his position. Catt has been part of the coaching team since Andy Farrell took over as head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. His family’s recent relocation to the UK is believed to be a factor in his departure.
Catt’s departure would create a significant void in the Irish coaching team, which the Sunday Times suggests could potentially be filled by Sexton. This would be a surprising move, as Sexton previously stated that he did not see himself as a coach, citing the difficulties of balancing family life and the demands of coaching. However, his motivational presence during the World Cup was highly regarded.
If Sexton were to pursue coaching, he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor in the Ireland number ten jersey, Ronan O’Gara. O’Gara transitioned directly from playing to coaching with Racing 92 and has since become a highly respected head coach, leading La Rochelle to consecutive Champions Cup titles.
While it would be unexpected for Sexton to return to rugby so soon after retirement, the reports suggest that it may be a possibility worth considering.
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