Danny Cipriani
Sexton’s professional approach to rugby contrasts starkly with Danny Cipriani’s reputation for being more laid-back. Sexton reportedly found Cipriani’s casual attitude frustrating, especially in training and preparation.
Cipriani’s relaxed style and off-field antics clashed with Sexton’s high standards, leaving the Irishman less than impressed with Cipriani’s professionalism
Warren Gatland
Sexton’s exclusion from the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour, led by coach Warren Gatland, has remained a point of contention. Sexton was overlooked in favor of other fly-halves, including Finn Russell, despite being widely regarded as one of the best in Europe.
The decision left Sexton feeling frustrated with Gatland’s coaching choices, which he viewed as an oversight of his experience and consistency
“We’d never had a very close relationship,” he revealed in the book. “But I was convinced he would bring me, based on the fact that we had been successful on previous tours. Gatland has always said that Six Nations form was his main selection guide and I had finished the Six Nations strongly. Our performance in the final game, when we gave England a 32–18 spanking in the Aviva, was a turning point for the team.
“I’d set a few personal targets to achieve before the end of my contract: to reach 100 caps, to captain Ireland to a grand slam and Leinster to another double. I also craved a third Lions tour. There’s an exclusive club of players who have played in three or more Test series for the Lions and I desperately wanted to be in it.
“Competition was tight, I’ll admit,” Sexton added. “I expected that Gats would go with Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar, players who had delivered for him before. Quality players and proven winners. Finn Russell was the darling of the media during that year’s Six Nations but he didn’t look like a Gatland player to me. I reckoned that if Gats chose three out-halves and if he was true to his ideals, I was in.”
