Johnny Sexton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Johnny Sexton

Sexton during an interview, January 2020
Full name	Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton
Date of birth	(1985-07-11) 11 July 1985 (age 39)
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
Position(s) Fly-half Senior career 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 14 October 2023

Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton (born 11 July 1985) is an Irish former professional rugby union player. He was a fly-half and was the captain of the Irish national team from 2019 to 2023. He also played for clubs like Leinster and the French team Racing 92.

Johnny also played for the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017. He scored over 1,100 points for Ireland, making him one of the top point-scorers in rugby history! Many players and coaches have called him the best fly-half in the world and Ireland's greatest player ever.

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

Sexton became the 106th player to captain Ireland. He first led the team in a World Cup match in Japan on 3 October 2019. He was officially named captain for the 2020 Six Nations Championship and kept this role until the 2023 World Cup. He holds the record for the most points ever scored for Ireland.

Early Life & Rugby Start

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, Johnny 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 drop goal right at the end of the school's Leinster Senior Schools Cup final, helping his team win! His great playing at St. Mary's led to him being chosen to play for Leinster.

Club Career Highlights

Playing for Leinster

Early Years: 2005–2008

Johnny Sexton started his career with Leinster in the 2005–06 season, playing one game as a substitute. In the 2006–07 season, he played three games and scored 11 points in total.

During the 2007–08 season, Sexton played more. He scored his first try against Edinburgh and another against Cardiff Blues. He ended that season with 73 points. Leinster also won the Celtic League that season.

Becoming a Star: 2008–2010

In 2009, Johnny became a key player for Leinster. In the Heineken Cup semi-final, he came on early for an injured teammate and helped Leinster beat their rivals Munster. He then started in the 2009 Heineken Cup Final against Leicester Tigers. In this big game, he kicked an amazing drop goal from the halfway line and also kicked the winning penalty! Leinster won their first European Cup 19–16.

After recovering from a hand injury, Sexton helped Leinster win against Brive and London Irish in the Heineken Cup. He kicked a drop goal in the last minutes against London Irish, which helped Leinster get a home advantage in the quarter-finals.

European Success: 2010–2012

In the 2010–11 season, Johnny played 19 times for Leinster and scored 237 points. He was a huge part of Leinster winning the Heineken Cup again. In the final against Northampton Saints, Leinster was losing badly at half-time (22–6). But Johnny scored 28 points, including two tries, helping Leinster make an incredible comeback to win 33–22! He was named man of the match.

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

In the 2011–12 season, Sexton played 16 games for Leinster and scored 213 points. Leinster won their third Heineken Cup in four seasons, beating Ulster 42–14 in the final. Johnny kicked three conversions and three penalties, scoring 15 points in that game.

Last Season (First Stint): 2012–2013

The 2012–13 season was also good for Sexton and Leinster. They won their first Pro 12 title in a while. Even though they didn't get far in the Heineken Cup, Johnny helped Leinster win their first Amlin Challenge Cup.

It was announced that Johnny would leave Leinster at the end of this season to join a French club. He couldn't agree on a new contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

Time in France: Racing 92

Sexton warming up for Racing Metro on 4 September 2013

In 2013, Johnny Sexton joined Racing 92 in Paris. He was one of the highest-paid players in the world. Many people in Ireland were surprised he left, as he was such an important player. Johnny said he chose Racing Metro because of their big plans and great training facilities.

During his time in France, Racing Metro didn't do as well as hoped in European competitions.

Back to Leinster

In September 2014, Johnny announced he would return to Leinster for the 2015–16 season.

In his first season back (2015–16), Leinster didn't win any trophies. In the 2016–17 season, they also finished without a trophy.

However, in the 2017–18 season, things changed! Johnny played 12 times, scored 127 points, and became Leinster Rugby's all-time top point scorer. He helped Leinster win the Pro-14 final and the European Cup for the fourth time! This was Johnny's fourth European Cup win, putting him in a special group of players.

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

International Career

Playing for Ireland

Early Caps: 2008–2010

Johnny was chosen for the Ireland squad in the 2008 Six Nations Championship, but he got a broken thumb and couldn't play.

He played for Ireland A in the 2009 Churchill Cup, which Ireland A won. Johnny scored 15 points in the final.

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

Sexton in action for Ireland

He played in the 2010 Six Nations, starting against England, Wales, and Scotland. He also played in summer tests against New Zealand and Australia, scoring many points.

Six Nations Wins: 2011–2015

Johnny was a key player in Ireland's 2014 Six Nations win. He was the top 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 also played in the 2015 Six Nations and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

World Rugby Player of the Year: 2016–2018

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

In 2018, in the opening 2018 Six Nations Championship game against France, Johnny scored a drop-goal in the very last minute (83rd minute!) to give Ireland a thrilling 15–13 victory. Ireland went on to win the Grand Slam that year, which was only their third ever. Johnny was a key player in all five games.

Later that season, Johnny led Ireland to their first series win in Australia since 1979. He was also named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, a huge achievement!

Captaincy and Final Years: 2019–2023

Johnny Sexton became the 106th player to captain Ireland when he led the team in a World Cup match in Japan in October 2019. On 15 January 2020, he was officially named the new captain for the 2020 Six Nations Championship.

On 6 November 2021, Johnny played his 100th game for Ireland against Japan. He even scored a try to celebrate!

He was part of the Irish squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship. In his final Six Nations match against England, he broke Ronan O'Gara's record for total points in Six Nations matches and captained Ireland to win another Grand Slam! This was Ireland's fourth Grand Slam ever.

In August 2023, he was chosen to be Ireland's captain for the 2023 World Cup in France. This was his fourth World Cup! In Ireland's first game against Romania, he scored two tries and seven conversions, getting 24 points in total. 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 Ireland's second game against Tonga, Johnny broke Ronan O'Gara's record for the most points scored by an Irish player in international rugby. On 14 October, Johnny played his very last game of rugby as Ireland lost to New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals.

British & Irish Lions Tours

Because of his great playing for Leinster and Ireland, Johnny was chosen to play for the British & Irish Lions in their 2013 tour to Australia. He played in all three important 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 test matches, even though he suffered a broken wrist in the second test! He played 73 minutes of the third test with a broken wrist and an ankle injury.

Coaching Role

In October 2024, it was announced that Johnny Sexton would return to the Ireland team as a consultant. He will work with the fly-halves for the Autumn Nations Series.

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.

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

Helping Others

Since 2009, Johnny Sexton has been an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland. He helps grant wishes to children who have serious medical conditions and helps with fundraising.

Playing Style

Johnny Sexton was a very important player for Irish and club rugby. He was known for his strong defensive play and his powerful passing when attacking. He was also a fantastic place-kicker for both his club and country.

In May 2012, former Ireland player Ollie Campbell said that Johnny Sexton is a "class act with hardly any weaknesses." He also pointed out that Leinster's only big loss in the Heineken Cup happened when Johnny wasn't playing.

Honours and Awards

World Rugby Awards

On 25 November 2018, Johnny Sexton won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in Monaco. He was the second Irish player to win it. At the same awards, the Ireland team won World Rugby Team of the Year, and their coach, Joe Schmidt, won World Rugby Coach of the Year.

• St. Mary's College
  • 1× Leinster Schools Senior Cup: 2002

• University College Dublin
  • 1× UCD Foundation Day Medalist: 2014

• Leinster
  • 4× European Rugby Champions Cup: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018
  • 1× European Challenge Cup: 2013
  • 6× Pro14: 2008, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • 2× Irish Shield: 2022, 2023

• Ireland
  • 5× Six Nations Championship: 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023
  • 3× Grand Slam: 2009, 2018, 2023
  • 4× Triple Crown: 2009, 2018, 2022, 2023
  • 3× Test Series: 2014, 2018, 2022

• Ireland Wolfhounds
  • 1× Churchill Cup: 2009

• British & Irish Lions
  • 2× British & Irish Lions selection: 2013, 2017

• Individual Awards
  • 1× World Rugby Player of the Year: 2018
  • 3× World Rugby Player of the Year nominee: 2014, 2018, 2022

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Sexton para niños