Sport

How Ireland’s rugby stars are tackling new careers off the pitch

Players who know their sporting career is limited are increasingly putting ideas and arrangements in place long before they retire

Johnny Sexton, who played his final match last month in the World Cup quarter final against New Zealand: the former Ireland captain has been a commercial manager for Ardagh Group since 2021. Picture: Getty

The curtain fell on the playing careers of Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls following Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup last month, but the duo are among an increasing number of players who are ensuring they are well-placed for their post-playing careers before hanging up their boots.

Sexton has been a commercial manager for Ardagh Group, a packaging business, since 2021, while Earls started Eleven-14, a coffee roastery in Limerick, the ...