Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland captain and current kicking coach for the British and Irish Lions, expressed no surprise at the record number of Irish players selected for the squad. Lions head coach Andy Farrell, who also manages the Ireland team, selected 15 Irish players in his initial 38-man squad for the Australia tour. This includes Connacht prop Finlay Bealham, who was called up following Zander Fagerson's injury.

Sexton highlighted Ireland's recent success as a key factor in the selection. "Ireland have done pretty well over the last few years, having won the Six Nations championship last year and the Grand Slam the year before," Sexton noted. He emphasized that the selection process considers long-term performance rather than just a few standout games.

When asked about potential criticisms of the strong Irish presence, Sexton acknowledged the diversity of opinions in sports. "Everyone has their own opinion, which is the beauty of sport," he said. He defended the selections by pointing to the players' consistent performance over the past three to four years.

Sexton also shared insights into his coaching role with the Lions. He will work closely with fly-halves Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith. "There's a little bit of everything really. It depends on what person you're working with, what form they're in, if they need help or if they're in a good place," Sexton explained.

The Lions are set to face Argentina at Aviva Stadium in Dublin in their pre-tour send-off fixture. The squad includes a strong cohort of players from Bath, Leicester, and Leinster, who recently participated in the Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals.

Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, returned to coaching with the Ireland team and now with the Lions. He expressed his commitment to his current role and his focus on making the most of the opportunity. "I have to make myself happy in the here and now and not worry about the future," he said.

For more updates on the British and Irish Lions and their tour of Australia, stay tuned to our coverage.