The power of the Sexton family support on and off the pitch

Rugby runs in the veins of the Sexton brothers, Ireland captain Johnny and coach Mark. In this episode five of sports series Driven, produced by Laya healthcare, they open up for the first time on brotherhood, family support and life-changing injuries

The Sexton brothers discuss how family and self-belief power Ireland's elite sports stars on Driven.

Johnny Sexton grew up in a family of six: parents Jerry and Clare, sister Gillian, and three boys: Johnny, known as Johnno within the family, Mark, who is two years younger than Johnny, and Jerry who is five years Mark’s junior.

Johnny and Jerry would both play rugby professionally; the former’s playing exploits well known as he edges closer to retirement while Jerry played in England, France, and South Africa before retraining as a policeman.

Mark Sexton had similar sporting ambitions, but less luck. A serious rugby injury as a schoolboy kept him out of the game for over a year. He would get back from that injury — his leg broken in three places with myriad complications in the short and long term — to play for the St. Mary’s club, even scoring two tries as a substitute in their 2012 All Ireland League final win, but would never play professionally.

In 2014 Mark moved into coaching. Still not yet aged 25, there were stops at schools and senior club level, Leinster u19s, then the Ireland u20s men’s setup where he was part of the coaching team that brought Ireland their 2023 u20s Grand Slam.

It all began when the Sexton brothers’ father was a coach in Bective rugby club in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Johnny recalls one of the guys in the club saying to his dad “oh, Johnno was brilliant today”.

His response was: “Ah don’t mind about him — wait till you see my second fella’”.

Sitting on set, Mark remarked that he was probably just trying to motivate Johnny.

Did it work?

“It did” Johnny replied.

The successes and silverware just keep coming for the Sextons. Mark has since signed on as assistant attack coach for Connacht next season and recently sat down with big brother Johnny, who is a brand ambassador for Laya healthcare, for a chat about family, rugby and brotherly love hosted by Richie Sadlier.

Left to right are brothers Mark and Johnny Sexton, on the set of Driven, a sports series produced by Laya healthcare.

Growing up what was your relationship like — was it a competitive household?

Mark Sexton: Oh yeah, absolutely. There was always that competitiveness and drive — probably from all of us, but mainly Johnno.

Tell us about the version of the game you played indoors at home — “rugby-on-knees” 

Mark Sexton: it was a small living room. You’ve got the ball in the middle and you had to score a try on the other side, but you’re on your knees. It’s nearly impossible to score so all you do is end up ripping the ball off each other or scrapping each other.

Jonathan Sexton: Just wrestling, which would end in a fight.

Mark Sexton: There were no tries scored, ever.

Mark, you had your own ambitions growing up as a rugby player, what happened?

Mark Sexton: I would have loved to play for Ireland or Leinster but it didn’t materialise. So, I’m happy to get an opportunity to do it as a coach now. I broke my leg when I was 16, and it wasn’t the best injury.

Jonathan Sexton: It was horrific. When you hear a bad leg break, you think ‘I’ll be in a cast’ but — how long were you in hospital?

Mark Sexton: Four or five weeks.

Jonathan Sexton: In rugby terms ages 16 to 18-19, is your window to get picked up by a professional team. Mark missed that window. I’ve always been cognisant of the fact that I’m so lucky to be doing what I’m doing. It’s always a reminder every time I see him — I was one injury away from never playing for Ireland or never playing for Leinster. It’s amazing the things that can happen to you. But hopefully Mark will go on and have a great career in coaching.

Johnny Sexton, photographed in Bective rugby club, where he and his brothers spent all their time growing up.

What influence has your family played in helping you get to where you are?

Jonathan Sexton: Loads — without them even knowing! It’s how you’re brought up. We spent our childhood in a rugby club. That wasn’t in order to make you into an international or provincial player, it was just because that was their life and you’re a product of that. It’s how we were reared.

Do you still feel that support now?

Jonathan Sexton: The support you get from the people who you grew up with is phenomenal. It’s still there to this day. Being able to call your brothers or, you know, have a talk to them about the game and getting honest feedback. You can see how much it’s meant to them to watch and how much it impacts their life. When we win and play well, they probably have a great weekend; so you’re playing for them in many ways as well.

How do Johnny’s wins impact you Mark?

Mark Sexton: (It’s) more so the losses. You probably take the losses worse than anything.

How do you feel when you hear Johnny’s play being criticised?

Mark Sexton: If you read all of the stuff, you’re going to end up reading criticism as well as the praise. So if you take the praise you have to take the criticism with it, so I just choose not to read anything anymore. But it does — it has a big toll on you.

Jonathan Sexton: Often the praise is way over the top and often the criticism is way over the top. You’ve got to try and ignore as much of it as on either side as you can, and just look for the truth.

When you’ve had so much written over the years, it’s kind of become normal now. I can’t affect it in any way, and that’s life.

Are there any downsides to being Johnny Sexton’s brother?

Mark Sexton: No not at all. It’s been an unbelievable ride while it’s lasted, or still lasting! It’s brilliant. I’ve never been negatively affected by it, apart from the slaggings I get.

Jonathan Sexton: You give me worse slaggings than anyone ever gets.

Have you two ever discussed stuff like this before?

Jonathan Sexton: No. We’re still like children. So if he comes over to watch a game or to have a drink, we’ll do that, then slag each other, then go and have a penalty shootout in the back garden! Same as when my other brother Jerry comes home. It’s just the way it’s always been.

So, no special privileges from family for being Ireland captain?

Jonathan Sexton: No — it’s worse! They absolutely destroy me; everything I do; any mistake. I remember last year when we played New Zealand in the third test and Will Jordan got a breakaway. I was the last man and he’s just so fast! I am not fast. He got away from me and the lads were texting me after the game going, “why did they make you wear flippers for the match today?” 

Watch Episode 5 of Laya healthcare’s video series Driven, featuring rugby brothers Johnny and Mark Sexton, which is hosted by Riche Sadlier here.