Johnny Sexton takes swipe at Finn Russell and Marcus Smith, picks his 2025 Lions fly-half

, 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.

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 recent interview with The Times

“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."

Many high-profile players continue to polarize opinions in the rugby world—one player might be considered overrated by some but highly regarded by others, leading to endless debates.

Here is RUCK Editor Steve Smith's attempt at ranking the top 10 most overrated players in the world right now.

10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.

9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.

8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England's key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.

7. Sam Cane (New Zealand) – As captain of the All Blacks, Cane faces high expectations. Some fans feel his leadership and performances haven't lived up to the level of his predecessors, like Richie McCaw, making him a target for criticism.

6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) - Including Kolisi on a list of overrated players can be controversial due to his significant achievements and leadership. However, some critics argue that Kolisi's global prominence, particularly after leading South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup victory, has overshadowed his on-field performances, which they claim are not always as impactful as his leadership role. Detractors might suggest that his leadership and symbolic importance sometimes eclipse his actual playing ability when compared to other top-tier flankers.

5. Marcus Smith (England) – A highly talented and creative fly-half, Marcus Smith has been heralded as the future of English rugby. However, some feel the hype around him has outpaced his actual impact on the international stage, particularly in tight, high-pressure matches, where consistency has been an issue.

4. Owen Farrell (England) – One of England’s most polarising figures, Farrell’s leadership and kicking ability are unquestionable, but his sometimes abrasive playing style, along with a lack of creativity in attack, has led some to question whether he’s overhyped, especially when he was England’s primary playmaker.

3. Finn Russell (Scotland) – Known for his flair and creativity, Russell is sometimes seen as overrated due to his high-risk, high-reward style of play. While he can produce magical moments, his inconsistency and decision-making under pressure are often questioned.

2. Faf de Klerk (South Africa) – Known for his high-energy style and defensive work, de Klerk is a polarising figure. While he’s a key player for South Africa, critics argue that his decision-making, particularly in attack, and reliance on kicking can make him overrated compared to the top scrum-halves in the world.

1. Romain Ntamack (France) – Despite his brilliant displays for France, Ntamack has faced criticism for not always living up to the high expectations, especially when compared to other top international fly-halves. Some feel his performances lack consistency in critical moments.