'FLASHY' FINN'S THE PERFECT 10

Sexton U-turn on reborn Russell as he backs fly-half to put squeeze on Wallabies

- FROM ADAM HATHAWAY in Brisbane

JOHNNY SEXTON has had a dramatic change of mind about Finn Russell and has tipped his longtime rival to steer the Lions home against the Wallabies.

Former Ireland fly-half Sexton is a kicking coach on the current tour and has buried the hatchet with Scotland's Russell, who he once described as “flashy”.

Sexton was put out when Warren Gatland picked Russell ahead of him for the 2021 tour to South Africa, but insists the Scot is a different player to the one he played against.

Russell was the main man as he guided Bath to a treble of trophies this season, including the Premiership title, and Sexton says he has proved he is the man for the big occasion - and another is coming today in Brisbane.

Sexton joked: “He's still flash, yeah! He'd hate it if I said ‘no’.