Coach unsurprised by number of Irish

RUGBY UNION

- By PA SPORT STAFF

JOHNNY Sexton has defended the record number of Ireland players included in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia.

Lions boss Andy Farrell, who has also been head coach of Ireland since 2019, named 15 in his initial 38-man selection before Finlay Bealham's call-up as injury replacement for Zander Fagerson increased the total to 16.

Leinster's 12-strong contingent arrived in camp on Monday afternoon following their United Rugby Championship success, joining Munster captain Tadhg Beirne and Connacht trio Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Bealham.

Former Ireland captain Sexton, who is part of Farrell's coaching team for the three-Test series against the Wallabies, pointed to the form of his country's national team when asked about the selection.