Johnny Sexton
Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton (born 11 July 1985) is an Irish former professional rugby union player who played as a fly-half and captained the Ireland national team from 2019 until 2023. He also played club rugby for Leinster and Racing 92.
Sexton during an interview, January 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Jonathan Jeremiah Sexton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 July 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He also represented the British & Irish Lions on their 2013 and 2017 tours, and has scored over 1,000 points in his international career, making him one of the highest points-scorers in rugby union history. He has been described by players and coaches as the world's best fly-half and as Ireland's best ever player.
Sexton was the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014 and then again in 2022. He was the second Irish player in history to win the award, after inaugural winner Keith Wood, in 2001.
Sexton became the 106th player to captain Ireland when he led the team out at their 2019 World Cup 3rd Pool A group match at the Kobe Misaki Stadium in Japan on 3 October 2019. He was officially named captain for the 2020 Six Nations Championship, a role he retained through the 2023 World Cup until Ireland's loss in the quarter finals to New Zealand. He is the all-time record points scorer for Ireland.