Former Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton is tipped to replace Wales legend Neil Jenkins as the specialist kicking coach for the British & Irish Lions’ 2025 tour of Australia.
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The 39-year-old, who earned 124 caps for Ireland, has been a familiar figure in the Ireland camp during the Autumn Nations Series, offering guidance to the squad’s kickers and supporting their aerial strategy.
Andy Farrell, impressed with Sexton’s impact, could bring him in to mentor stars like Marcus Smith and Finn Russell next summer.
Adding to the coaching speculation, ex-Wales prop Adam Jones is vying for the scrum coach role. Now 43, Jones, who toured with the Lions in 2009 and 2013, has been instrumental in Harlequins’ success, including a dramatic Champions Cup semifinal spot last season.
“If Faz wanted to take me, I’d bite his hand off. 100 per cent, I think I could do a job as a scrum coach for the Lions,” Jones shared on The Times’ Ruck Podcast.
“It’s a funny one with the Lions. As a scrum coach, you’re not going to change a lot of technique. These are the best props from the home unions. But if that job ever came up, I’d bite their hand off.”
Meanwhile, Gregor Townsend, Scotland’s head coach, is also in contention for a role. With his tactical nous, Townsend could add value to Farrell’s coaching setup.
Other names floating around include Ronan O’Gara, though prying him away from La Rochelle during the Top 14’s crunch period seems unlikely. Shaun Edwards, tied to France’s tour of New Zealand next July, appears out of reach as well.
That leaves a strong pool of candidates from home unions and Premiership clubs, such as Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, and ex-England coach Felix Jones, who’ll be a free agent by next summer. Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell, who has Lions pedigree from 2005, 2009, and 2013, is also a standout contender.
Strength and conditioning maestro Aled Walters, currently with Ireland, is widely seen as a lock for the Lions setup, bringing his expertise to the mix.
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