Finn Russell: Andy Farrell helped Johnny Sexton and I bury hatchet forward of British and Irish Lions tour to Australia | Rugby Union Information

Finn Russell has revealed he buried the hatchet with Johnny Sexton with the assistance of Andy Farrell because the outdated foes be a part of forces on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Sexton has beforehand been important of Russell, labelling him “flashy” and a “media darling”, whereas including he would select Owen Farrell over him towards the Wallabies as a result of the previous England captain is a “Take a look at match animal”.

And in his autobiography, the Eire nice confessed that it “kills me to this present day” that he was neglected in favour of Russell for the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa.

Now the previous fly-half rivals are working collectively to beat Australia, with Sexton appearing because the Lions kicking expertise coach and Russell in pole place to take the playmaking duties within the Take a look at collection.

Once they first linked up after the gamers concerned within the Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals arrived into camp earlier this week, any acrimony rapidly pale.

“It is simply been little bit of a craic. It was by no means a factor. Once we got here in, we had fun immediately and Andy form of put it to mattress in order that was good,” Scotland worldwide Russell mentioned.

“Not that it was ever going to be a difficulty, I do not consider. We’re all right here with the identical objective, which is to win the collection.

“I’ve solely been right here just a few days nevertheless it’s been good working with Johnny. I am blissful to bounce questions off him and chat to him about what he is seeing.

“With the numbers we have had, he is needed to soar in typically so it has been fairly humorous being on the identical coaching aspect as him.

“It is good to have a man along with his expertise right here.”

Australia will probably be Russell’s third expedition with the Lions, with all three set to be very completely different experiences.

In 2017 in New Zealand he was a part of the controversial ‘Geography Six’, a gaggle of Scotland and Wales gamers who have been referred to as into Warren Gatland’s squad not on advantage however due to their shut proximity whereas on summer time excursions.

4 years later he travelled to South Africa the place all matches have been performed behind closed doorways as a result of pandemic, denying the Lions their famed ‘sea of pink’ help. The Bathtub ringmaster began the third Take a look at towards the Springboks.

“New Zealand was nonetheless wonderful as a result of it was my first time being referred to as as much as the Lions,” Russell mentioned.

“We weren’t there for the entire tour, however to have gone to New Zealand and performed was actually cool for me.

“After which in 2021 it was particular going the entire time, regardless that it was Covid. We could not have household and mates or followers on the sport, nevertheless it was nonetheless wonderful another way.

“When it comes to the boys, we in all probability obtained to know one another somewhat bit higher as a result of it was simply us within the lodge and whatnot. I am trying ahead to what this one’s going to be like.”

What’s subsequent: British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports activities

Sky Sports activities will completely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Exams towards the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven completely reside.