11 January 2024 , 11:36
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Andy Farrell has been named as the British and Irish Lions coach for the 2025 series in Australia.
The current Ireland boss has served on the coaching staff previously under Warren Gatland but will now take the top job. His impressive work with the Irish team, who claimed a Grand Slam in the Six Nations last year, made him the outstanding candidate.
Farrell stepped up to replace Joe Schmidt when he left the Ireland set-up following the 2019 World Cup. In that time the 48-year-old has overseen a team that has impressed with its style of play, risen to No 1 in the world rankings and secured a first ever series win in New Zealand back in the summer of 2022.
Farrell was part of the Lions the last time they headed down under as they secured a series victory over the Wallabies in 2013. 18 months out and the Lions will be fancied to secure another victory on foreign soil with Australia very much in a rebuild phase.
The three-test series begins on July 19 in Brisbane before they head to Melbourne and finish the series in Sydney. Attention is likely to turn to who Farrell will look to add to his staff with a host of possible names swirling around the home nations.
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Gregor Townsend, the Scotland coach, worked on the last tour as part of the coaching staff whilst England coach Steve Borthwick, back when he was assistant to Eddie Jones, was part of the 2017 set-up. There have also been left-field suggestions including Ronan O'Gara, who has claimed successive European Cups with La Rochelle.
Former Lions captain Paul O'Connell, who played on numerous tours, is currently part of Farrell's coaching staff at Ireland and is another man who could feature.
The skipper will not be announced for well over a year but already names are being touted. James Ryan plays under Farrell in the second row and is among those tipped, as is England lock Maro Itoje. Welshman Jac Morgan and Scotland's Jamie Ritchie are also candidates.
Andy Farrell featured on Lions tours in 2013 and 2017The Lions lost their last series away at South Africa back in 2021. The world champions lost the first test but went on to secure a 2-1 victory with a last gasp victory in Cape Town. Prior to that the Lions had drawn with New Zealand and seen off Australia - two tours that Farrell was involved in.
The Ireland boss said on the announcement: “It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to be named Head Coach of The British & Irish Lions. I know how special Lions Tours are having been involved in the 2013 and 2017 Tours, so I am delighted to get the chance to lead the team in 2025.”
“There is a wealth of talent across Britain and Ireland, and I am looking forward to building a team that can deliver the ultimate goal of success in Australia. I also want to thank the Irish Rugby Football Union for their support in allowing me to accept this prestigious opportunity.”