Johnny Sexton takes brutal swipe at Finn Russell and Marcus Smith

The 39-year-old, who retired from rugby following the 2023 World Cup, has been making headlines recently after a series of bold claims in his new autobiography, where he doesn't hold back in critiquing both players and coaches from his past.

One of the key talking points in Sexton’s autobiography is his exclusion from the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, a decision that continues to haunt the Irishman.

In the book, Sexton admits that missing out on selection “kills me to this day,” as he was passed over in favour of Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar, and Finn Russell.

While Farrell and Biggar had been previous favourites of Lions head coach Warren Gatland, Sexton suggests that Russell’s media appeal played a significant role in his selection.

“Competition was tight, I’ll admit,” Sexton wrote. “I expected 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.”

In a Sexton didn't mince his words when discussing the future of the Lions' number 10 jersey for the 2025 tour to Australia. While he praised Owen Farrell for his reliability in high-pressure matches, Sexton was far less enthusiastic about Russell and England’s Marcus Smith.

“I’d pick Owen Farrell,” Sexton stated. “Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test-match animals. I know who the media would want—Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy players…”

He then changed his mind, leaving Russell as the only member of the "flashy" bracket, as he added: “Marcus, I think, is a generational talent. I actually wouldn’t really include him. He looks flashy, but I think he manages the game really well. I think he can light up a game. But for me, I’d like Owen. He can do some remarkable things."

1. Ollie Lawrence – Achilles injury ends Lions dream

England centre Ollie Lawrence was widely tipped to make Farrell’s Lions squad before suffering a devastating injury. The Bath star ruptured his left Achilles tendon just nine minutes into England’s 47-24 Six Nations win over Italy, ruling him out for up to a year.

A Premiership Player of the Season in 2023, Lawrence had become a key figure for Steve Borthwick’s England. His explosive running, defensive solidity, and hard-carrying ability made him a strong candidate for the tour. However, with the Lions series beginning in just over three months, his injury has ended any chance of selection.

Lawrence expressed his disappointment on social media: "Lost for words… That’s not how I imagined my season to end! The comeback is always greater than the setback."

Surprise Fact: Lawrence was once in Aston Villa’s football academy before choosing rugby.

Despite making an impressive comeback with Montpellier in the Top 14 after reversing his retirement, off-field issues will rule him out of contention for selection by Lions head coach Andy Farrell, according to RUCK sources.

Surprise Fact: In a tweet, J. K. Rowling insinuated that Hogg was, in fact, a full-fledged Wizard

Welsh fly-half Dan Biggar ruled himself out of the 2025 Lions tour after retiring from international rugby in 2023. With 112 caps for Wales and two previous Lions tours (2017, 2021), he would have been a strong contender for Farrell’s squad. However, he’s enjoying his time in France with Toulon and has no plans to return.

Speaking to TalkSport, Biggar confirmed his decision: "That chapter has closed for me. When I retired from Wales, I thought I might miss it, but I haven’t. I’m really enjoying life in France and the media work I’m doing. If I had stepped away from Wales and missed it, things might have been different. But I feel it was the right time to move on."

Biggar remains a key player for Toulon, where his leadership and tactical kicking continue to impress.

Surprise Fact: Biggar’s pre-kick routine, the ‘Biggar Shuffle,’ was inspired by Elvis Presley.

England No. 8 Zach Mercer will miss the Lions tour after being ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Gloucester confirmed in December that Mercer, who had an outside shot at selection despite being overlooked by England, won’t return this season.

Once named Top 14 Player of the Year with Montpellier, Mercer returned to England in 2023 to chase a World Cup spot but was ignored by Steve Borthwick. Now, Toulon are prepared to buy out his Gloucester contract, meaning Mercer could soon be back in French rugby.

Despite his injury, Mercer was voted Gloucester’s Player of the Year in his debut season, proving his popularity with fans.

Surprise Fact: Mercer captained England U20s to victory in the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship, beating New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Veteran prop Joe Marler was a bookies’ favourite to make the 2025 Lions tour, but his international retirement has ended any hopes of a call-up. The 90-cap England loosehead announced his Test retirement after the 2024 Six Nations, confirming he won’t be available for selection.

A dominant scrummager and larger-than-life character, Marler was part of England’s 2019 Rugby World Cup final squad and remained in contention for Steve Borthwick’s team until recently. After missing out on the 2017 and 2021 Lions tours, this was likely his last chance to wear the famous red jersey.

Despite his absence, Marler remains a key figure at Harlequins, where his experience and set-piece prowess continue to be invaluable.

Surprise Fact: Marler once dyed his hair bright blue to raise awareness for mental health charities, showing his commitment to supporting mental well-being in rugby.