Andy Farrell to coach British and Irish Lions on tour of Australia in 2025

Ireland coach Andy Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions for their 2025 tour of Australia.

The widely expected confirmation came at a news conference on Thursday, though Farrell has yet to make any decisions about the make-up of his team of assistants.

Farrell, father of England captain Owen, was an assistant to Warren Gatland on the 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand, though he made himself unavailable for the 2021 South Africa tour.

“I know Australia more than most — the Australian psyche, personnel, what it’s like to tour there,” Farrell said.

“I’ve grown up in Australia quite a bit as far as my career is concerned, and I know what this tour will mean to Australians.

“When a tour comes round in Australia only once every 12 years and you’re lucky enough as a Wallabies player to be part of that, it’s got to be extra special.

“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.

Former British rugby league legend Farrell, 48, became Ireland head coach in 2019, leading the side to a first series win in New Zealand and to a Six Nations grand slam last year.

They lost to New Zealand in the World Cup quarterfinals, but Farrell was still named World Rugby’s coach of the year.

Farrell made 36 appearances for Great Britain’s rugby league team but never played with the British and Irish Lions rugby union team.

He did make eight appearances for England’s union team, including at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, before spending four years there as assistant coach.

His contract was extended to 2027 last December, when the Irish Rugby Football Union said it would be “ecstatic” if he was given the Lions job and would discuss how much time he would need away from the Ireland role.

The former Wigan rugby league star is the first Ireland coach to lead the Lions since Noel Murphy on the 1980 tour of South Africa and the first Englishman since Clive Woodward in 2005 in New Zealand.

“It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to be named head coach,” Farrell said.

“I know how special Lions tours are having been involved in the 2013 and 2017 tours, so I am delighted to get the chance to lead the team in 2025.

“There is a wealth of talent across Britain and Ireland, and I am looking forward to building a team that can deliver the ultimate goal of success in Australia.

“I also want to thank the Irish Rugby Football Union for their support in allowing me to accept this prestigious opportunity.

“The Lions fan base is really special, uniting supporters from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and beyond. Mobilising that sea of red by creating a team that our fans can connect with and be proud of will be a key priority for me and will be crucial to our success.”

Gatland announced last year that he did not want to do another stint and backed Farrell to take over.

Ben Calveley, Lions chief executive, said: “Andy is without question one of the best coaches in the world and knows what it takes to win a series in Australia.