Becoming a Lion

by Johnny Sexton

Johnny Sexton - the man who pulled the strings for the Lions - gives an intimate insight into the rugby life. As of May 2009, Johnny Sexton was the little-known backup fly-half for Leinster, the chronically underachieving Irish province. But when Felipe Contepomi went down with an injury early in the Heineken Cup semi-final against a dominant Munster team, Sexton came on, nailed a penalty with his first touch of the game, and helped Leinster to a crushing victory. Four years, three Heineken Cups later and one British and Irish Lions tour victory later, Sexton is by some distance the leading fly-half in the northern hemisphere. When the 2013 Lions squad was selected, there was almost universal agreement that Sexton was the most important single player heading to Australia. And over the course of the Lions' first victorious Test series in sixteen years, Sexton was the man pulling the strings. His try in the third test was the decisive blow, and his joyous celebrations after scoring were echoed in homes across Britain and Ireland. Becoming a Lion is an intimate portrait of life at the highest levels of the professional game - at Leinster, with Ireland, and on tour with the Lions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2013

Reviews

[Michaelagh Tennyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into a private persons life. He's very honest about a lot of career decisions and I especially enjoyed reading his side of the ROG Sexton saga. Would recommend it to any Irish rugby fan regardless of whether or not you rate him as a player

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought: He's honest. Both on his feelings with certain managerial decisions, and his own issues as a person and player. He takes the game seriously and admits that that can get him in trouble from time to time when he loses his cool. He's also honest about the problems he's faced with other players. He gives an interesting insight into the rugby camp and how they operate. He also discusses the contract troubles and how he had never planned on leaving Leinster. It is obvious from reading the book that it was always troubling him until he finally made a decision.

It's an entertaining book, with great insight into the personalities of the coaches and players. The coverage of the Munster/Leinster rivalry is great, as is the ROG history. But most importantly, you learn a great deal about Johnny as a person. Determined. Passionate. Self-critical. Funny. it's a great book for any rugby fan, written by one of the game's biggest fans.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read

Johnny sexton is a highly talented Irish rugby player renowned for his v competitiveness. This book is a diary of a season ,of wins and losses, injury and record very.Although the book title refers to The Lions ,that is dealt with only in last forty pages and is the main disappointment in a book that otherwise is lively and a good read

[Rutger Gerrits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Sexton is een speler waar de laatste jaren een hoop ovee te vertellen is, een legende binnen het Ierse team, binnen Leinster, en stiekem ook wel een beetje binnen de Lions. In dit boek verteld Sexton ons een eerlijk verhaal over zijn zowel persoonlijke als rugby gerelateerde avonturen, en krijgen we zijn beeld op de ROG - Sexton rivaliteit. Maar wat neemt deze man zichzelf serieus zeg...

[Elliott Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read which shows the insight that nobody knew about especially the move to Racing

[Mdaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, it reads as a very honest account of Sexton's lead-up to the Lions tour of Australia and the doubts he had about being selected.

The most interesting part of the book and the elephant in the room is the part he leaves out. It's clear from his comments and his relationship with Gatland that he has authority issues. What comes across time and again is how deeply the break-up of his parents marriage affected him, yet he says very little about it in this book, and how it still encroaches on the mental side of his game.

[B Sharkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - great insight into the life of Johnny especially in this eventful year. Straight up and to the point. Highly recommended.

[Emer Ni r · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight, easy read

[Simon Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not about the money he says early on..... Then pretty much it seems to be all about the money... An odd character.

[Bernadette Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! An inspiring and compelling read which is a must read for anybody who loves the game of rugby.