Ireland icon Johnny Sexton has wasted no time diving into a new venture just weeks after turning down a coaching gig with the national squad.
The former skipper, who bid adieu to rugby last year, has embarked on a fresh chapter in his professional journey.
Sexton, now 38, etched his name in rugby history with 119 caps for Ireland, but his focus has shifted gears dramatically.
Trading his jersey for a business suit, the ex-fly-half has taken on the role of commercial manager at Ardagh Group, a powerhouse in the glass and metal industry headquartered in Luxembourg.
Ardagh Group boasts a global footprint as a leading provider of sustainable metal and glass packaging, boasting a sprawling network of 63 production facilities, a workforce of 20,000, and a jaw-dropping revenue exceeding £7.2 billion.
But that’s not all in Sexton’s playbook. He’s also the brains behind JAS Management and Promotions Ltd., a thriving enterprise that raked in £2.4 million in profits in 2022 alone—a hefty increase of nearly £305,000 from the previous year’s earnings.
He said in a statement: “Retirement is never an easy next step for any professional athlete. It is especially hard after the rollercoaster of emotions from the last few weeks in France.
“The sadness and frustration we couldn’t progress further remain, they will for a long time to come but the overarching feeling is the pride I felt playing with such a committed and talented group of players.”
Highest-paid rugby players:
Breaking records and raising eyebrows, these players are leading the charge in the financial stakes of rugby union. Here’s the rundown of the top earners in the game according to The Scotsman:
Siya Kolisi – £850,000
The South African skipper boasts an impressive resume with two Rugby World Cup triumphs and a commendable third-place finish. At French powerhouse Racing 92, Kolisi has been commanding a salary of £850,000, but with the recent arrival of Owen Farrell, he might be eyeing a bump in his paycheck.
Faf De Klerk – £900,000
De Klerk, another key figure in South Africa’s World Cup-winning squad, has made his mark in Japan. Playing for the Yokohama Canon Eagles, he’s banking a cool £900,000 annually, showcasing the global appeal of rugby’s top talents.