Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and defense coach Simon Easterby.Photo: Sports File
Andy Farrell is expected to be confirmed as Lions head coach today ahead of next year’s tour of Australia.
Ireland manager Farrell has long been rumored to be taking up the prestigious role, with public backing from Warren Gatland, who has managed the last three tours, for the prestigious tour in the summer of 2025. He is expected to lead the team Down Under.
Details of Farrell’s appointment will be outlined at a ceremony in London, with the IRFU prepared to be without head coach for a period of time prior to the tour.
Paul O’Connell is thought to be likely to join Farrell’s backroom team, which would pave the way for Simon Easterby to take over as Ireland’s interim head coach.
Ireland’s current defense coach, Easterby, who stepped up to a key role for the emerging Ireland squad’s tour of South Africa in 2022, has strongly suggested he could do the same again if asked to do so by the IRFU. suggested.
Farrell has done an excellent job with Ireland since taking over from Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup and is seen as an outstanding candidate as he also boasts a rich Lions pedigree.
The 48-year-old was defense coach during the team’s successful tour of Australia in 2013 and played a key role in the drawn series in New Zealand four years later.
Gatland did not take part in the 2021 tour of South Africa due to the coronavirus pandemic and had hoped Farrell would be part of the backroom team again, but has decided to focus on Ireland. .
Last year’s World Cup may not have gone to plan, but Farrell’s string of accomplishments speaks for itself, including a historic series win in New Zealand and a Grand Slam victory He was named World Rugby Coach of the Year in October.
Farrell is expected to name an assistant in due course and the Wigan native will have the further honor of leading the Lions on Irish soil for the first time when they face Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on June 20, 2025. .