Andy Farrell's coaching staff for the 2025 Lions tour has not been confirmed yet
Andy Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions in their 2025 tour of Australia but his coaching ticket has not yet been confirmed.
The Ireland boss was asked about it at a press conference, first about how far afield he would go to appoint his coaches.
“As far as I need to,” he said “As far as what will be the right type of coach that fits the group that I want and the playing group deserves.”
And when he was grilled on what group he wanted to put together, he responded: “It’s not just having five people and personalities all the same. It’s whatever you can bring not just not just from a knowledge side of things. But from the character that brings to a touring party, of which is a huge part of the dynamics of a group.”
There have been a fair few names bounced around and here are some of the coaches who could get the jobs:
Jacques Nienaber
Jacques Nienaber has been involved in a British and Irish Lions tour but as a coach for the opposition. The last time the Lions toured was in 2021 against South Africa and Nienaber was the head coach. He led the Springboks to a series win against the Lions.
During his time with South Africa, first as an assistant coach and then head coach, the team won back-to-back World Cup titles.
Nienaber is currently a senior coach at Munster. He started out in coaching as a strength and conditioning coach at Free State Cheetahs.
Nienaber then went on to be an assistant coach at Western Province, Stormers and Munster.
Paul O’Connell
Paul O’Connell has been working alongside Farrell since 2021 as Ireland’s forwards coach. O’Connell is amongst a coaching staff which has made Ireland one of the best teams in the world. Ireland have won back-to-back Six Nations titles in that time, one of which was a Grand Slam title.
The former Ireland captain started his coaching career in Ireland U20 in 2017. He was appointed as an assistant coach but remained in the role less than a year as he took up a forwards coach role at Stade Francais in August 2018. O’Connell then joined the senior Ireland set-up in January 2021.
Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is has experienced international coaching with England. When Steve Borthwick left Leicester Tigers to become England’s head coach he took Sinfield with him. Sinfield was initially defence coach for the team. Since then he has taken a step back within the coaching set-up but still remains a part of it.
Before England he won the Premiership title as defence coach for Leicester. Leicester was his first coaching role in rugby union after coming from a background of rugby league, much like Farrell.
Before Leicester he was a director of rugby for Leeds Rhinos and previous to that was rugby director for Rugby Fooball League.
Where will the British and Irish Lions be touring?
“When a tour comes round in Australia only once every 12 years in and you’re lucky enough as a Wallabies player to be part of that, it’s got to be extra special,” he said.
“So this is going to be a huge moment for Australia. I know the journey over the last wee while as far as Australian rugby is concerned needs a little bit of repair … but I know that they’re gonna get it right because it means so much.
“So 2025 is going to be a massive year for Australian sport with the Lions coming over.”
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