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Johnny Sexton

Sexton during an interview, January 2020

Full name

Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton

Date of birth

11 July 1985 (age 40)

Place of birth

Dublin, Ireland

Height

1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)

Weight

90 kg (198 lb; 14 st 2 lb)

School

St. Mary's College

University

University College Dublin

Notable relative(s)

Jerry Sexton (brother)

Rugby union career

Senior career
Position(s)	Fly-half
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2006–2013	Leinster	110	(1,027)
2013–2015	Racing 92	40	(350)
2015–2023	Leinster	79	(617)
Correct as of 4 August 2023
National team(s)
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2004	Ireland U18	5	()
2005–2006	Ireland U21	10	()
2007–2009	Ireland A	11	(66)
2009–2023	Ireland	118	(1,108)
2013–2017	British & Irish Lions	6	(5)
Correct as of 1 July 2025
Teams coached
Years	Team
2024–	Ireland (Consultant)
2025	British & Irish Lions (Assistant Coach)

Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton (born 11 July 1985) is a famous Irish former professional rugby union player. He played as a fly-half and was the captain of the Ireland national team from 2019 until he retired in 2023. He also played club rugby for Leinster in Ireland and Racing 92 in France.

Sexton also played for the British & Irish Lions on their tours in 2013 and 2017. He scored over 1,100 points in his international career, making him one of the highest points-scorers in rugby union history. Many players and coaches have called him the world's best fly-half during his career. Some even say he is Ireland's best player ever.

In 2018, Sexton won the World Rugby Player of the Year award. He was the second Irish player to ever win this award, after Keith Wood in 2001. He was also nominated for the award in 2014 and 2022.

Sexton became the 106th player to captain Ireland in 2019 during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He was officially named captain for the 2020 Six Nations Championship and kept this role until the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He holds the record for the most points ever scored for Ireland.

Early Life and Rugby Beginnings

Johnny Sexton was born in Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland. His family has roots in North Kerry and West Clare. His uncle, William Sexton, was also a rugby player for Garryowen, Munster, and Ireland.

When he was young, Sexton played mini rugby with Bective Rangers in Donnybrook, Dublin. This was his father's club. He went to St Mary's College, Dublin. In 2002, he scored a winning drop goal in the final of the school's Leinster Schools Senior Cup. His great performances at St. Mary's helped him get selected to play for Leinster.

Club Career Highlights

Playing for Leinster

Early Years and First Triumphs

Sexton started his career with Leinster in the 2005–06 season. He played one game as a substitute. In the next two seasons, he slowly played more, scoring points with conversions and penalties. By the 2007–08 season, he was scoring tries and many points in games.

In 2009, Sexton became a key player for Leinster. He stepped in when the main fly-half, Felipe Contepomi, got injured during a big Heineken Cup semi-final against rivals Munster. Sexton helped Leinster win that game. He then started in the 2009 Heineken Cup Final against Leicester Tigers. He kicked an amazing drop goal from the halfway line and also the winning penalty. Leinster won their first European Cup 19–16.

European Dominance

Sexton continued to shine for Leinster. In the 2010–11 season, he scored 237 points in 19 games. He was a hero in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final against Northampton Saints. Leinster was losing badly at half-time, 22–6. But Sexton led an incredible comeback, scoring 28 points, including two tries. Leinster won 33–22, and Sexton was named man of the match. This was his second Heineken Cup medal.

Sexton in action during the 2011 Heineken Cup quarter-final versus the Leicester Tigers.

In May 2012, Leinster and Sexton won their third Heineken Cup in four seasons. They beat Irish rivals Ulster 42–14 in the final. Sexton kicked three conversions and three penalties, scoring 15 points. This win showed Leinster was a top team in European rugby.

Pro12 Success and Departure

The 2012–13 season was also successful for Sexton and Leinster. They won their first Pro12 title since 2008. They also won their first Amlin Challenge Cup, which was their third European title in three years. During this time, Sexton was sometimes out due to injury.

It was announced that Sexton would leave Leinster at the end of the 2012–13 season. He had not agreed on a new contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). He decided to join a French club.

Time with Racing 92

Sexton joined Racing 92 in Paris for the 2013–14 season. Reports said he was one of the highest-paid players in the world. He joined other famous players like Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate. His former Irish teammate, Ronan O'Gara, also became a coach at the club. Sexton said he was happy about O'Gara's arrival, as they had become good friends.

Many people in Ireland were surprised by Sexton's move. He had been a very important player for both Leinster and Ireland. Racing Metro struggled in Europe during his first year, not getting past the group stages of the Heineken Cup.

Return to Leinster

In September 2014, Sexton announced he would return to Leinster for the 2015–16 season. In his first season back, Leinster did not win any trophies. However, in the 2017–18 season, Sexton helped Leinster win the Pro14 final and their fourth European Cup. This was Sexton's fourth European Cup win, putting him in an elite group of players.

At the start of the 2018–19 season, Sexton was named the new club captain for Leinster.

International Career for Ireland

Early International Appearances

Sexton was chosen for the Ireland squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship. However, he broke his thumb while playing for Leinster and could not play.

He played for Ireland A in the 2009 Churchill Cup. Ireland A won the tournament, beating England Saxons. Sexton scored 15 points in the final.

Sexton earned his first cap (played his first game) for Ireland on 21 November 2009. This was against Fiji in Dublin. He scored 16 points and was named man of the match. A few days later, he started against World Cup champions South Africa. He scored all of Ireland's 15 points in their 15–10 win. It was later found out that he played the game with a broken hand!

Sexton in action for Ireland

He played in the 2010 Six Nations, coming on as a substitute and then starting in some games. He also played in summer tests against New Zealand and Australia.

Six Nations Success and World Cups

Sexton was a key player in Ireland's 2014 Six Nations win. He was the joint highest try scorer in the championship with four tries. In the final match against France, he scored two tries and 17 points, helping Ireland win the championship. He played in every game despite a thumb injury.

He also played in the 2015 Six Nations Championship and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Sexton representing Ireland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Sexton started all five matches in the 2016 Six Nations Championship. He scored many points, including 15 points against Scotland in a 35–25 win.

World Rugby Player of the Year

In Ireland's first game of the 2018 Six Nations Championship against France, Sexton scored a dramatic drop-goal in the 83rd minute. This came after 41 phases of play and gave Ireland a 15–13 away victory. Ireland went on to win the Grand Slam that year, which was their third in history. Sexton was a key player, starting all five games and scoring 44 points. He was nominated for the 2018 Six Nations Player of the Tournament.

Later that season, Sexton led Ireland to their first series win in Australia since 1979. He started both wins and scored 31 points. He finished the 2017–2018 season without losing a game as a starter for Ireland.

On 25 November 2018, Sexton was named the World Rugby Player of the Year. He was only the second Irish player to win this award.

Captaincy and Final Years

Sexton became the 106th player to captain Ireland during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. On 15 January 2020, he was officially named the new captain for the team, taking over from the retired Rory Best. He remained captain through the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

On 6 November 2021, Sexton earned his 100th cap for Ireland in a game against Japan. He celebrated by scoring a try.

Sexton is one of only six captains to lead his team to a test series win in New Zealand.

He played in the 2023 Six Nations Championship. In his final Six Nations match against England, he broke Ronan O'Gara's record for total points in all Six Nations matches. He also captained Ireland to win the Grand Slam, which was only the fourth time in history Ireland had won one.

In August 2023, Sexton was chosen to be captain of Ireland's World Cup squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. This was his fourth World Cup. In Ireland's opening game against Romania, he scored two tries and seven conversions, totaling 24 points. This broke Ronan O'Gara's record for most points scored for Ireland in World Cup matches. Ireland won that game 82–8, their biggest World Cup win ever. In the next game against Tonga, Sexton broke Ronan O'Gara's record for the most points scored by an Irish player in international rugby.

On 14 October 2023, Sexton played the last game of his career. Ireland lost to New Zealand in the World Cup quarterfinals.

British & Irish Lions

Sexton was chosen to play for the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia in 2013. He played in all three test matches and scored one try.

He was also selected for the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand. He played in the second and third tests, even though he suffered a broken wrist in the second test. Despite the broken wrist and an ankle injury, Sexton played most of the third test.

Coaching Role

Ireland

In October 2024, it was announced that Sexton would return to the Ireland setup. He works as a consultant, helping the fly-halves. He also helps Caelan Doris with his captaincy role.

Sexton was also an assistant coach for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Personal Life

Johnny Sexton is married to Laura (née Priestly) since 2013, and they have three children. He has a degree in Commerce from University College Dublin.

He was the cover athlete for the video game Rugby 20. His autobiography, Obsessed, was released in October 2024 and won the "Sports Book of the Year" award.

Charity Work

Sexton has been an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland since 2009. He helps grant wishes to children with serious medical conditions and supports fundraising campaigns.

Playing Style

Sexton was known for his strong defensive play and his effective passing in attack. He was also a very accurate place-kicker for both his club and country. By October 2017, Sexton became Leinster's all-time leading points scorer with 1234 points.

Many experts, like former Ireland fly-half Ollie Campbell, have praised Sexton. Campbell said in 2012 that Sexton is a "class act with hardly any weaknesses." He also noted that Leinster's only big loss in the Heineken Cup happened when Sexton wasn't playing.

Honours and Awards

World Rugby Awards

World Rugby Player of the Year: 2018
Nominee for World Rugby Player of the Year: 2014, 2018, 2022

Team Honours

St. Mary's College

Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup: 2002

Leinster

European Rugby Champions Cup: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018
European Challenge Cup: 2013
Pro14: 2008, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Irish Shield: 2022, 2023

Ireland

Six Nations Championship: 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023
Grand Slam: 2009, 2018, 2023
Triple Crown: 2009, 2018, 2022, 2023
Test Series: 2014 (Argentina), 2018 (Australia), 2022 (New Zealand)

Ireland Wolfhounds

Churchill Cup: 2009

British & Irish Lions

Selected for tours: 2013, 2017