I’m a rugby legend who retired after the World Cup but I already have new career as manager for glass and metal company

IRELAND legend Johnny Sexton has started a new career weeks after quitting rugby.

The former Ireland captain last year announced he would be retiring at the end of the World Cup.

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Johnny Sexton has plenty of work in the pipeline after quitting rugby[/caption]

Sexton, 38, won 119 caps for Ireland but he is now pursuing a very different career.

The former fly-half is a commercial manager for Ardagh Group – a glass and metal company based in Luxembourg.

Ardagh​​ Group describes itself as a global supplier of recyclable metal and glass packaging, with 63 production facilities, 20,000 employees and sales of more than £7.2billion.

Sexton also owns a successful management company called JAS Management and Promotions Ltd.

The company posted profits of £2.4million in 2022 – an increase of nearly £305,000 compared to the previous year’s earnings.

Sexton shared an emotional update confirming he was hanging up his boots following Ireland’s World Cup exit.

He said in a statement: “Retirement is never an easy next step for any professional athlete. It is especially hard after the rollercoaster of emotions from the last few weeks in France.

“The sadness and frustration we couldn’t progress further remain, they will for a long time to come but the overarching feeling is the pride I felt playing with such a committed and talented group of players.

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“The best group I have been lucky enough to be a part of……on and off the pitch. Leaving these players and these coaches is what is making retirement so tough.

“I want to thank my teammates, both for Leinster and Ireland, for everything they have given to me. The last season was one of the most enjoyable of my career and it makes it even more special to do so with people you care about, friends who will stay a part of my life in the future.

“Four years ago we sat down as a squad and spoke about what we wanted to achieve. Our main motivation and objective was to inspire the nation. I think we achieved that. We lost, but we won. ”