Lions omission still haunts Sexton

Legendary Irish flyhalf Johnny Sexton has confessed that being overlooked for the 2021 Lions tour will stay with him forever. 

Sexton, who turned 36 in July, is back training with Leinster and is looking forward to the new season ahead. He has not played since April last year after he was ruled out with concussion. 

Sexton is a veteran of two Lions tours (2013 & 2017) and was the starting flyhalf in both. His omission from the 2021 squad raised many eyebrows across the rugby world and was a source of bitter disappointment to him personally. 

"The emotions have obviously changed a little bit," he said, talking to the Irish Independent. 

"When you don’t get picked, it’s a massive disappointment. 

"But, look, they went a certain way and I wasn’t a part of their plans. It was tough but that’s life. I’ve had lots of setbacks in my career and now it’s up to me to bounce back this season. 

"Not that I’m over it. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, but I’ve come to terms with it. I accepted it a long time ago that it wasn’t going to be. 

"I’ve had a good pre-season with Leinster and I’m looking forward to getting started. 

"Never once when I didn’t get picked did I say, 'at least I’ll be all good for next season,' that’s not how I think. 

"It was a huge disappointment. The Lions was in the forefront of my thoughts for the last couple of years, but that’s life and now it’s a case of trying to attack this season. 

"I’ll hopefully be ready to go and have a good start to this season and be ready to put myself forward for Irish selection." 

Sexton is currently sitting on 99 caps for Ireland, thus selection for the national side would bring with it a huge milestone for him. 

"It’s a huge year with some big November fixtures, Six Nations and then a tour to New Zealand, with all the Leinster stuff as well," he said. 

"You get energised by the start of a new season and this one is no different."