Johnny Sexton adding 'bigger picture' perspective to Ireland

Johnny Sexton's presence in the Ireland camp is benefitting the coaches as well as the players, according to Simon Easterby.

Former Ireland flanker Easterby is in temporary charge of the defending Guinness Six Nations champions with Andy Farrell on Lions duty until after the summer tour of Australia.

The interim boss, who has been an assistant with the national team since 2014, has former Ireland and Lions skipper Paul O’Connell as forwards coach, and former Leinster players John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman as scrum and backs coaches, respectively.

Sexton, a former World Rugby player of the year who retired following the World Cup in 2023, joined the set-up as a consultant during the November internationals and continues in the role for the championship, which starts for Ireland against England in Dublin tomorrow (4.45pm).

His primary brief is as a mentor to the three out-halves, Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Ciarán Frawley, but such is his experience and aura, it’s only natural that all involved are able to get something out of his presence.

"I think any group that would have somebody like Johnny around would benefit," said Easterby after naming his side to face England.

"He’s been excellent in just those little conversations around different pressure points that might come in the game that players in the position he played in would have felt.

"And unless you played in that position it’s probably hard to always try and reflect, and try and give advice to people.

"He also has a really good way about him in terms of seeing the game in the bigger picture.

"He, as a 10, would know that it’s important that he sees stuff but also that other people around him also see stuff and that it’s not just him on his own.

"That, again, has