Good to see the Ireland outhalf providing some comic relief on his down day in Auckland.
The bulk of the British & Irish Lions squad hit downtown Auckland on their day away from the training ground grind and, with Johnny Sexton in tow, they certainly made their presence felt.
Sean O’Brien caught up with his old Ireland back row buddy – and World Cup 2011 roomie – Stephen Ferris. Tadhg Furlong, Owen Farrell and Justin Tipuric went to Barker’s Groom Room to get Test match ready [for the TV cameras at least], some of the squad went up the Sky Tower to check out the views and Instagram was clattered with lunch and dinner pictures.
Sexton, meanwhile, was saying goodbye to an old favourite.
Accompanied by Conor Murray and Ben Te’o, who was discreetly recording on his phone, Sexton was bravely making a purchase of some skinny jeans. Anyone that has followed Sexton on Ireland and Lions tours over the years will tell you he likes a relaxed fit.
He can be cranky and set in his ways but on the playing field but, with Murray and Te’o encouraging him, Sexton was open to change.
At first, the outhalf was reluctant…
But once he settled into the new pair, he went straight out and bought them. He even went so far as to leave them on and get them scanned, for purchase, by a store clerk.
Most of the squad then reconvened at the team hotel, that evening, to watch Love Island [no joke].
You should definitely check out the Te’o and Sexton Instagram stories of the Lions’ big day, while you still can.
