Irish Rugby Star Sexton Makes the Leap to NFL, Joins 2025 International Player Pathway Class
12/09/2024 12:04 PM
The NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program is set to welcome Olympic gold medalist Roje Stona and Australian rugby union star Jordan Petaia into its latest cohort.
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The initiative, designed to unearth global talent and prepare athletes for a shot at the NFL, continues to draw big names from a variety of sports.
What Is the IPP Program?
Since its inception in 2017, the IPP program has identified and developed 41 international athletes, with 23 still linked to NFL teams and six earning spots on active rosters. This year, 14 hopefuls will head to a 10-week training camp in Florida. The camp blends on-field drills with classroom sessions before athletes showcase their talents to NFL scouts ahead of the 2025 draft.
Familiar Faces Making the Switch
Among those paving the way are 2024 success stories like rugby’s Louis Rees-Zammit and Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth, who earned NFL contracts after graduating from the program.
This year's lineup includes UK talents Dante Barnett and Mapalo Mwansa, while Ireland's representation comes via Ulster rugby speedster Aaron Sexton.
Sexton is also a track sprinter, winning the 2018 and 2019 All-Ireland Schools Championships in both the 100m and 200m, representing Bangor Grammar School. In 2019 Sexton also broke the all-Ireland schools record in both events with times of 10.43 for the 100m and 20.69 for the 200m
Stona's Record-Breaking Journey
Roje Stona, 25, has already made history for Jamaica, clinching the nation's first Olympic gold in a throwing event at Paris 2024. His foray into American football isn't entirely new—he trained with two NFL teams earlier this year and now looks to transition his explosive athleticism to the gridiron.
Petaia Eyes a New Chapter
Jordan Petaia, 24, one of Australia's brightest rugby union stars, has long been linked with a potential switch to the NFL. He follows in the footsteps of countryman Jordan Mailata, now a starting left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, and hopes to make a similar impact.
The IPP program continues to revolutionise the pathway to the NFL, proving the gridiron is a global stage waiting to be conquered.
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Fans have spoken: All-time Lions XV revealed after 100,000+ votes
The countdown to the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia is officially on, and the anticipation is electric. While the next generation of rugby stars prepares to make history, fans have been busy selecting the ultimate legends of the game.
Over 107,172 votes were cast, answering age-old debates like Barry John vs. Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson vs. Paul O’Connell, and the big one—Gareth Edwards vs. Matt Dawson.
A panel of Guardian experts set the shortlist, but the final say came down to you, the fans. Now, the all-time British & Irish Lions XV is locked in.
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So, did your picks make the all-time Lions XV? Let’s find out.
All-time Lions XV:
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales) – 72%
Runner-up: Gavin Hastings (Scotland) – 10%, Jason Robinson (England) – 10%
He went on only two Lions tours, in 1971 and 1974, and the mark he left on both is still remembered fondly to this day. As a result he has one of the most impressive Test records with the Lions of any player, winning five Tests, drawing two and losing just once. To come away as a winner from two different series is a remarkable feat.
Winger: Gerald Davies (Wales) – 21%
Runner-up: JJ Williams (Wales) – 19%
Davies was a British and Irish Lion in 1968 and 1971, one of a raft of Welsh players alongside Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams to enter into the folklore of both the Lions and Wales. Davies also served as the team manager for the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.
Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – 43%
Runner up: Will Greenwood (England) – 4%
Probably the best player ever produced by Ireland, O'Driscoll was Lions captain on the ill-fated 2005 series that saw his tour cut short in a controversial manner. His cutting runs in Australia four years previous were instrumental in getting the series win. He toured again in 2009 and 2013. This made him only the third player in 125 years of Lions history to go on tour four times.
Inside-centre: Jeremy Guscott (England) – 20%
Runner up: Mike Gibson (Ireland) – 15%
Hailed as “The Prince of Centres”, he was called up to the to the 1989 Lions tour to Australia, slotting into the side for the second and third Tests as they won the series. He went on the following two tours with Guscott’s finest moment coming in 1997, when he sent over the decisive drop-goal to win the second Test againsr the Springboks
Winger: Jason Robinson (England) – 22%
Runner-up: Tony O’Reilly (Ireland) – 9%
He made his England debut against Italy in the 2001 Six Nations and was subsequently selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia that summer. He slotted in to the starting line-up for the first Test against the Wallabies and scored a stunning solo try, dancing past Australia fullback Chris Latham, to announce himself on the world stage.
Fly-half: Barry John (Wales) – 51%
Runner-up: Phil Bennett (wales) – 21%
John is the standout stand-off in Lions history. It's no surprise then that they nicknamed him, "The King". He scored 30 of the Lions' 48 points against the All Blacks in '71.
Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales) – 85%
Runner-up: Matt Dawson (England) – 9%
It was his partnership with Barry John in the half back line that was key to the Lions' only tour series victory in New Zealand in '71. His work rate in '74 was the corner stone on which the tourists won 21 and drew one of their 22 game
Loosehead-prop: Jason Leonard (England) – 21%
Runner-up: Gethin Jenkins (Wales) – 6%
Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland) – 51%
Runner-up: Brian Moore (England) – 16%
He popped up everywhere around the field against South Africa in 1997, winning the Man of the Match award in the second test. Subsequently, the first ever world player of the year was a tourist in 2001 as well.
Tighthead-prop: Fran Cotton (England) – 24%
Runner-up: Graham Price (Wales) – 7%
Cotton was up front on the 1977 tour tests. It's never an easy task to make an All Blacks scrum creak but he did just that. Also a tourist in 1974 and 1980 in South Africa, he always gave a great display in the art of the scrum.
Lock: Martin Johnson (England) – 40%
Runner-up: Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – 9%
For some a controversial character, but for all one of the greats. His leadership earned him the captaincy in both 1997 and 2001. Johnson also toured in 1993's narrow series loss to New Zealand. His work in the loose and the lineout set him apart as a player.
Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland) – 43%
Runner-up: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – 3%
A record 17 test across five tours for what many regard as the greatest lock ever produced by the home nations. Additionally, he was the captain of the great '74 team and always proved himself and inspirational figure on the pitch.
Blindside-flanker: Richard Hill (England) – 29%
Runner-up: Finlay Calder (Scotland) – 8%
Hill was a tourist on three occasions from 1997 to 2005. His decision making and worth at the breakdown have him lauded as one of the greatest blindsides to ever play the game.
Openside-flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) – 23%
Runner-up: Fergus Slattery (Ireland) – 18%
Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales) – 43%
Runner-up: Lawrence Dallaglio (England) – 23%
"Mervyn the Swerve" was always instantly recognisable with his white headband. He was a key member of the pack for both the 1971 and 1974 Lions teams that beat New Zealand and South Africa.
Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
Whether it’s the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let’s see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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