2024-01-11 14:34:19
The British and Irish Lions announced on Thursday the appointment of Andy Farrell, Ireland coach, as head coach for the 2025 tour to Australia.
The 2023 World Rugby Coach of the Year will take charge of the British and Irish Lions from December 2024. Andy Farrell, Ireland coach, will lead this selection of the best English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish players during the tour to Australia in 2025. The Lions will challenge the Wallabies, the national team, three times, and will play five matches against the five Australian Super Rugby franchises.
The Englishman Andy Farrell, father of international fly-half Owen Farrell, was extended his position as head coach of the Ireland team until the next World Cup in 2027. He had joined the staff in 2016 as defense coach under Joe Schmidt before moving to No. 1 in 2019.
During his tenure as head coach, he notably led the Clover XV to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023 and led the team to first place in the World Rugby rankings.
«It is a huge honor and privilege to be appointed Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions” said Farrell. The 48-year-old succeeds New Zealander Warren Gatland, who led the Lions on their last three tours of the southern hemisphere.
He was part of Gatland’s coaching staff during Australia’s victorious 2013 series and the tied series against New Zealand in 2017. The identity of his Lions staff has not been confirmed. yet been communicated.
«I know how special the Lions tours are, having been on the 2013 and 2017 tours, and so I am delighted to have the chance to lead the team in 2025“, emphasized Farrell.
«Britain and Ireland are brimming with talent and I look forward to building a team that can achieve the ultimate goal of success in Australia“, he added.
The Lions will be favorites against the Australians, whose selection in crisis was eliminated for the first time in its history in the group stage during the World Cup in France.
Farrell could face him at the head of the Wallabies the former Ireland coach of whom he was deputy and whom he succeeded, the New Zealander Joe Schmidt.
The full schedule of the Lions tour of Australia
* June 20, pre-tour match – Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
* 28 juin, Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
* 2 juillet, Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
* 5 juillet, Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
* 9 juillet, Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
* July 12, Lions v AU & NZ Invitational, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
* 19 juillet, 1er Test, Lions v Australia, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
* 22 juillet, Lions v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
* July 26, 2nd Test, Lions v Australia, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
* August 2, 3rd Test, Lions v Australia, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
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