Andy Farrell has been announced as the next head coach of the British and Irish Lions for their 2025 tour to Australia, live on Sky Sports.
Former Wigan Warriors rugby league great Farrell has been head coach of Ireland for four years, first leading them into the 2020 Six Nations.
Farrell, 48, succeeds Warren Gatland in the prestigious role, whom he worked alongside as defence coach during the successful 2013 and 2017 Lions tours to Australia and New Zealand respectively.
“It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to be named head coach of the British & Irish Lions,” Farrell said.
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“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.
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Need motivation? You need to listen to Farrell’s 2013 Lions speech!
“The British & Irish 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.”
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Under Farrell, Ireland accomplished near enough everything they could leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup: A Six Nations Triple Crown (2022), historic 2-1 series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand (2022), Six Nations Grand Slam (2023), and firm world No 1 ranking after victories over every Tier One side as part of a 17-Test winning run.
As such, they entered the World Cup in France as one of the top favourites, albeit having been drawn on the tough side of the draw, and though they defeated eventual champions South Africa in Pool B, they lost in dramatic fashion to New Zealand 28-24 at the quarter-final stage.
That result aside, Farrell has led Ireland to tremendous success and done so playing a brand of exciting, attacking rugby.
Farrell has enjoyed huge success as Ireland head coach since leading them into the 2020 Six Nations
He has received accolades around the world as a consequence, including being named 2023’s World Rugby Coach of the Year, and it was telling that his latest contract signing with the IRFU in December through to 2027 came with confirmation he had their blessing to coach the Lions during that period.
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We take a look at some of the best moments from the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour in Australia as we look ahead to the 2025 tour which be live on Sky Sports
Ben Calveley, British & Irish Lions CEO, said: “We are delighted to announce Andy Farrell as head coach of The British & Irish Lions for the Tour t
…. to be continued
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