Farrell Lions coach, women to tour NZ
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has been confirmed to lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia in 2025, while a women’s tour to New Zealand in 2027 is expected to be announced next week.
The Black Ferns have won the last two World Cup finals against England, who would be expected to provide the most players to a women’s British and Irish Lions squad for an anticipated three-test series set to be unveiled in London
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley last year expressed his enthusiasm for the prospect of a women’s tour, stating: “It is extremely positive that a British and Irish Lions women’s tour is possible in the future,” Calveley said.
Farrell will arrive in Australia more than a decade after his impassioned speech inspired the invitational team to complete a series victory over the Wallabies in the “hurt arena”.
Farrell was confirmed yesterday as the successor to Warren Gatland, getting the top job after serving as an assistant to the New Zealander on the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours to Australia and New Zealand.
The 48-year-old Englishman will begin his role in December, from which point he will focus purely on the Lions. As a result, he will not lead Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations.
Farrell has been in charge of the Irish for four years, guiding the team to the top of the world ranking, a Grand Slam in the Six Nations and a historic test series victory in New Zealand.
He has developed into one of the world’s most shrewd rugby coaches, saying he has “grown up” from the person who was in the formative years in coaching when he gave that speech — before the third test against Australia, with the series locked at 1-1 — for which he has become known.
“On D,” he said, referring to defence, “we cannot allow our emotional energy to dip whatsoever. You know why? Because there is no tomorrow. There is no tomorrow. We are taking them boys to the hurt arena this weekend.”
The Lions went on to blow away the Australians in a 41-16 win.
Asked yesterday if he would reprise that role, Farrell laughed and said: “I’m probably not as dramatic. There won’t be any film star roles from myself. Just being myself and making sure the team comes first.”
Farrell said being chosen to lead the Lions “means the world to me”.
“To be thought of as a candidate for the head coach’s role is pretty special. To be chosen is pretty magical.
“Being on a couple of Lions tours already gives me the feeling of what it’s all about. And for those of us who have been lucky to be involved before or for those of us who have been lucky enough to go on Lions tours as a supporter or support the Lions, and what they stand for, at home, we all know the special place this is, for me to be chosen as the head coach. It’s beyond words.”
Gatland has coached the Lions for the past three tours, most recently in 2021 when South Africa won 2-1, after which he said he wouldn’t be returning in the role.