Ireland coach Johnny Sexton swaps the rugby pitch for completely new career

Sexton will take up the role alongside his duties as kicking coach for the Ireland national team. He previously served as chief of staff at Ardagh Group, overseeing more than 20,000 employees before stepping down earlier this year to focus on coaching.

“Over my sports career, my principal focus both as a player and a coach has always been on how I could get the best out of myself and my teammates to improve team performance,” Sexton said. “I look forward to working hands-on with Exponent’s team and portfolio companies.”

Founded 21 years ago by ex-3i executives, Exponent has invested over €1bn in Irish companies since 2012 and relocated its headquarters from London to Dublin in 2021. Its portfolio now supports roughly 3,000 jobs in Ireland.

Recent deals include the €300m acquisition of Galway-based Chanelle Pharmaceuticals, the £300m purchase of Kingsbridge Healthcare Group in Northern Ireland, and an investment in Dublin-based data centre specialist Ethos Engineering. The firm also owns H&MV Engineering in Limerick.

Led by managing partner Richard Lenane, Exponent recently closed its fifth fund at £900m (€1.04bn), with backing from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and AIB.

The firm is also known for previous acquisitions such as Racing Post, Enva, and a stake in accounting firm Xeinadin.

Sexton’s appointment underscores Exponent’s growing footprint in Ireland’s private equity market, as it continues to forge long-term partnerships with domestic management teams and entrepreneurs.

Here, we take a closer look at five notable underperformers whose performances left plenty to be desired.

Sheehan endured a mixed afternoon as Ireland fell to New Zealand 26-13. His usually reliable set-piece work was off, with five lineouts going astray, and composure was lacking at key moments. While his ball-carrying offered glimpses of his trademark dynamism, Ireland will need a sharper version of Sheehan in the coming fixtures.

Irish Examiner 5.5/10: "Handed the armband again, Sheehan was busy in defence early and made a great run down the left during Ireland’s first proper attack, but he was one link in a lineout chain that was much weaker than Ireland needed against this opposition."

RUCK 4/10: "Among Ireland’s forwards, Sheehan endured a mixed afternoon. Five lineouts went astray for the hosts in Chicago, and his usually reliable set-piece work looked a touch off the mark. Still, his carrying in open play offered glimpses of his usual dynamism. A step up will be expected as he looks to rediscover his best form for the remainder of the Autumn Series."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "The opening overthrow set an uneasy tone that lingered throughout. The lineout became a lottery, and while he made metres with ball in hand, it’s impossible to overlook the chaos in that department. His carrying was as dynamic as ever, but composure deserted him at key moments."

Edmed struggled to ignite Australia’s backline during the 25-7 defeat to England. Early promise under the high ball was undone by positional errors and a near-costly goal-line mistake at half-time. His performance highlights lingering questions over who will take on the long-term No. 10 role for the Wallabies.

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Great under the high ball early on but is struggling to spark the backline at this level. Stood too deep at times and there were a few errors, including one on the stroke of half-time which almost led to an England try."

Telegraph 5/10: "Hit and miss. His heart will have been in his mouth at the end of the first half, with a wild goal-line drop-out."

Mail Online 6/10: "Australia have big questions to answer as to who their long-term No 10 is going to be. Edmed nearly cost his team with big mistake on half-time whistle but showed promise."

Dingwall’s afternoon was defined by a costly loose pass intercepted for a Wallabies try. Otherwise, he was a steady presence in the midfield, making positive decisions with ball in hand and plugging gaps defensively. Despite his work rate, that one mistake overshadowed an otherwise solid, if unspectacular, outing.

RUCK 6.5/10: "The “glue” of the Saints midfield partnership, Dingwall helped clubmate Freeman settle into his new role. Unfortunately threw the loose pass that led to Harry Potter’s intercept try. Took a few heavy hits, including a big collision with Tane Edmed. Not his flashiest Twickenham outing, but a solid and grounded effort aside from one costly mistake."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "Will be really disappointed with the interception, but was pleasing to see him always make the positive choice ball-in-hand."

Mail Online 4.5/10: "His pass was intercepted by Harry Potter who raced away to score for Australia at a time when the Wallabies were offering nothing as an attacking force. The pass wasn't on."

Telegraph 5/10: "The glue player came unstuck with his horrible intercept which allowed Australia back in the game. A shame because otherwise he barely put a foot wrong."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Fine margins in Test rugby, and what could have been an assist to Steward from Dingwall resulted in a length-of-the-field interception from Harry Potter. So much to like about Dingwall’s defensive work – pressurising the Australian attackers at times, and drifting to protect the wider channels. Would frequently plug any gaps in the defensive line as well. Going forward, he gets his hands on the ball a lot, but didn’t challenge the Wallabies enough."

Jordan’s attacking prowess was largely neutralized against Ireland. Though secure under the high ball, the match offered few opportunities for his usual game-breaking plays. Passing errors and limited involvement in open play made for an uncharacteristically subdued performance from the All Blacks star.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Jordan’s high-ball game has come under scrutiny in 2025, with new laws putting more pressure on the aerial contests. In Chicago, he was a safe pair of hands. The game didn’t open up much to show Jordan’s game-breaking ability, and his playmaking was average with some poor passes seeing the ball hit the ground."

Beirne’s day ended disastrously early following a controversial red card for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett. With Ireland playing over 20 minutes down a man, the second row’s absence was a major blow, leaving the team without one of its most influential forwards and effectively derailing any hopes of repeating past heroics.

Rugby Pass 2/10: "Seemed to think he was a Chicago Bears defensive lineman with his bizarre shoulder check on Beauden Barrett after two minutes was reckless and entirely unnecessary. Once the TMO upgraded yellow to red, Ireland’s hopes of repeating 2016’s heroics took a major dent."

Irish Examiner: "Sensationally good on his first seasonal turn for Munster against Leinster two weeks ago, any hopes of the Eadestown man doing the same here were ended by an astonishingly bad red card three minutes in after his coming-to with Beauden Barrett. A huge loss."

RUCK 1/10: "A disappointing outing for the Irish second row, whose day ended early after a controversial red card for a collision with New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett. Dismissed in the opening stages, Ireland were left without one of their most influential forwards, forced to play 20 minutes down a man."

Irish Mirror: "Third minute yellow card for upright tackle, no wrap, upgraded to 20-minute red within six minutes of the original decision. Replaced by Ian Henderson following the 20 minutes being up."