**The Breakdown: A Deep Dive into Johnny Sexton's Journey** If you think you know the celebrated former Ireland fly-half, it’s time to delve deeper—this is no ordinary memoir. One of the most striking aspects of Johnny Sexton’s new autobiography is that it took seven years to complete. Seven years? It’s a lengthy process reminiscent of James Joyce’s laborious journey with *Ulysses*. As Peter O’Reilly, Sexton’s skilled (and perhaps patient) ghostwriter, notes in the acknowledgments, there was little need for extensive interviews due to “Johnny’s exceptional memory for detail.” When you combine these two elements, a compelling narrative is almost guaranteed. Sexton possesses an extraordinary ability to recall everything and everyone from his life. He remembers what his friends said and did, what his rivals were thinking (or at least what he believed they were thinking), and how he felt during pivotal moments. At times, the narrative reads like a stark report from an ongoing battle, which is how much of his career felt to him. “For so much of the time, I was at war—with opponents, with rivals, sometimes with coaches, often with myself. For the most part … it felt like a fight,” he reflects. This autobiography promises to offer readers an insightful and raw perspective on Sexton’s life and career, revealing the complexities behind the public persona of one of rugby’s most iconic figures.