Andy Farrell: Why being named Lion king is realisation of a lifelong dream
Andy Farrell revealed last night that being named head coach of the Lions is the realisation of a lifelong dream.
The rugby league legend was the outstanding candidate to lead the best of British and Irish rugby on next year’s nine-match tour of Australia.
Taking Ireland to the Six Nations Grand Slam and number one in the world rankings made it a one-horse race.
Yet the selection process involving Lions chairman Ieuan Evans, Nigel Redman, Sir Ian McGeechan and Brian O’Driscoll took six months.
And when first offered the job by Lions chief executive Ben Calveley, Farrell admits he almost had to almost pinch himself.
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“To be called up as a candidate for the head coach’s role is pretty special, to be chosen is pretty magical,” said the 48-year old. “Almost beyond words.
Farrell: "To be called up as a candidate for the head coach’s role is pretty special, to be chosen is pretty magical" (PA Archive)“You can imagine how much I am bursting with pride. I’ve got a lot of people to thank for making this dream come true.”
Farrell’s journey to the summit of the Home Nations game has taken 19 years since he first switched codes in 2005 to join Saracens.
Even before then, as a 16-year old playing for Wigan and becoming a father to Owen, he was a young man with a plan to get to the very top.
Farrell has led Ireland to Grand Slam glory and number one ranking in world order during his time in charge (Matthieu Mirville/DPPI/REX/Shutterstock)Farrell said: “Growing up, watching the Lions and the excitement and history and everything that goes with that, I was a supporter from day one.
“So would this have been a far distant dream sub-consciously back then? I would have thought so, definitely.
“Coming across to union I obviously didn’t think specifically of this at the time, but did I want to be the best coach I could possibly be? Yes I did.
Owen Farrell is a three-tour Lion (AFP via Getty Images)“I didn’t know where that would take me but I wanted to gain respect as soon as possible.”
He has that in spades now and an aura with it to compare with the greatest Lions down the years, from Willie John McBride and Martin Johnson on the pitch to Carwyn James and McGeechan in the dugout.
The Lions might not need all of that Down Under given the parlous state of Australian rugby, helped by its brief and ill-fated dalliance with Eddie Jones.
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Farrell's first taste of the Lions was in 2013 as defence coach in Australia (Getty)But don’t expect this Wigan winning machine, hailed a “cultural architect” by Evans, to soft pedal in any way across the three-Test series.
“I love everything about the [Lions] format,” said Farrell, who was Lions defence coach under Warren Gatland during the victorious 2013 tour to Australia and in the drawn series with New Zealand four years later.
“I love the build-up of games, I love how tough that is for the touring party and all the different dynamics that go with it.
“The three-match Test part is special, because there should be a winner. I think back to 2013 when it went to one-all and the Australians were so relieved their captain was on the floor with tears in his eyes
“You knew then what it meant and getting yourself back up the next week to put in a performance like we did in the third Test is a memory that will stay with me forever.
"Now I’m hoping for another one.”
Farrell and Lancaster on England duty in 2013 (David Rogers)Stuart Lancaster had Farrell as his defence coach during his spell as England boss up to and including the 2015 World Cup.
"As England coach it was important to have someone who could step in for you and had your back," explained the now Racing 92 head coach.
"You could tell he was a leader as a player and, as a head coach, you need a strong second voice in the changing room, that person who can take the weight off your shoulders a little bit.
"Andy fulfilled that role for me. He's a student of sport, of teams and of coaching."
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