Johnny Sexton Backs ‘flash’ Finn Russell To Produce His Best On First Lions Start

The British & Irish Lions adjunct coach Johnny Sexton has insisted that Finn Russell is still “flash” but believes nan Scotland playmaker has nan temperament to radiance connected his first Test commencement for nan visitors against Australia connected Saturday.

Sexton described Russell arsenic a “media darling” and arsenic “flashy” earlier he was named arsenic 1 of Andy Farrell’s adjunct coaches, making for a perchance awkward reunion pinch Russell upon his appointment.

Russell is taking portion successful his 3rd Lions circuit but makes his first Test start, having impressed disconnected nan chair successful nan bid decider against South Africa 4 years agone while he played a spot portion domiciled arsenic 1 of nan “Geography Six” successful 2017.

Sexton, who made his Lions debut successful Brisbane 12 years ago, admits he has been pleasantly amazed by Russell successful Australia and, pinch nan visitors dense favourites to conclusion nan Wallabies, believes nan Scot tin thief his broadside woody pinch nan expectation.

“Oh, he’s still flash, yeah! He’d dislike it if I said ‘no’,” said Sexton. “But successful nan past mates of years he’s travel into his ain arsenic a 10 and he’s been capable to negociate a squad because yet that’s nan main occupation that he’s got, is to negociate each nan guys astir him. And past his brilliance will travel out, erstwhile he’s into nan game.

“He has been relaxed arsenic always, you wouldn’t cognize it’s nan week of a Test match. You tin spot nan activity he does, though. You person a cognition of him from nan extracurricular and I would person said nan same, successful position of he is simply a relaxed feline and conscionable takes things successful his stride. But he does a batch of activity down nan scenes, and he’s been really bully this week successful prepping nan team. Hopefully he’ll proceed his form.

Johnny Sexton (left) shows Owen Farrell and Finn Russell really it’s done during training past week. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

“Like everyone, I deliberation successful nan past mates of years he’s really matured arsenic a player. You tin see, Bath getting to finals, winning trophies, you can’t do that if you’re conscionable that benignant of mercurial 10. You’ve seen that now this year. He’s sewage his squad complete nan statement and he’s won a fewer trophies and he’s carried that shape into here. We ever knew, peculiarly erstwhile you’re surrounding him pinch nan players he’s sewage astir him, he’s going to bring nan champion retired of them and they’ll bring nan champion retired of him.”

Sexton besides praised Russell’s protect capabilities pinch opponents seemingly targeting him arsenic a anemic nexus to date. “Well, he’s been astir apt our champion defender successful nan backline connected this circuit truthful far, I would say,” added Sexton. “You ever knew that was successful there, he’s a feisty feline retired there.

“Physically he doesn’t look that large but he’s fronted up large clip connected this tour, a batch of effect tackles and we’ll request him successful that respect because they’ll beryllium coming down his channel, I’m sure.”

Meanwhile, nan Wallabies are assured lightning will not onslaught doubly successful Brisbane, 12 years aft Kurtley Beale slipped and missed a last-gasp punishment to manus nan Lions triumph successful nan first Test. Overnight rainfall made for bedewed conditions for Australia’s captain’s tally but Harry Wilson said: “It’s evidently a spot slippery, truthful it’s thing we’ve decidedly paid attraction to and dream to not make nan aforesaid mistake.”