Andy Farrell’s Preparations for the British and Irish Lions Tour

Andy Farrell has officially commenced his full-time role as head coach of the British and Irish Lions, a position he will hold until the tour concludes in August. He previously served as the Lions’ defence coach during the 2013 tour of Australia and the 2017 tour of New Zealand. Following Ireland’s narrow victory over Australia, which marked the end of their autumn fixtures, Farrell, having bested Joe Schmidt and his Wallabies in Dublin, now aims to achieve similar success in the three Test matches in Australia next summer, as the Lions seek their first series win in 12 years. After a promising November for Schmidt’s team, Farrell stated that Australia is “on an upward curve, massively.” His work begins immediately. A socially distanced squad announcement was necessary for the 2021 tour of South Africa. While supporters from the four home nations have already started compiling their ideal Lions squads, Farrell plans to deliberate before choosing the definitive one. He is projected to reveal his final group – consisting of approximately 35 to 40 players – in late April or early May. Although some players have improved their prospects and others have declined during the Autumn Nations Series, the 2025 Six Nations will be immensely influential in selection. Former Lions wing Ugo Monye conveyed to the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, “I feel like the Autumn Nations Series are your GCSEs, and the Six Nations are your A-Levels. That’s what is really, really going to matter.” This point is underscored by the historical trend of Six Nations champions supplying a significant number of players for subsequent Lions tours. For instance, in 2013, when the Lions last visited Australia, victorious Wales contributed 15 of the 37 initial selections. Similarly, in 2017, England, as title holders, supplied 16 of the 41 players. The 2021 tour also featured a substantial Welsh contingent following their championship win. Danny Care, a former England scrum-half with 100 caps, further remarked, “No-one remembers how well you played in the autumn when it’s Lions year. You remember who won the Six Nations, or who played really well, and who is playing in those big knockout European games in April and May.” Farrell must also address the situation concerning France-based players who are not presently active in international rugby. Jack Willis of Toulouse, recognized as one of Europe’s top-performing players, is ineligible for England but remains a potential Lions selection. This also holds true for Owen Farrell, Andy’s son, and numerous other English players competing in France. Concurrently, Blair Kinghorn, Willis’s teammate at Toulouse, is highly likely to be included in the touring squad, particularly considering his anticipated key role for Scotland in the Six Nations. Nevertheless, the Lions tour schedule coincides with the French Top 14 season. The league’s semi-finals are scheduled for the same weekend as the Lions’ match against Argentina in Dublin, and the final falls on the same day as the Lions’ initial tour game against the Western Force. Should Toulouse, for instance, reach the final, Kinghorn would be delayed in joining the tour. Consequently, Farrell faces a dilemma. Although the Lions management has granted him full discretion in player selection, a Top 14 finalist might miss up to four of the Lions’ 10 fixtures, depending on their arrival in Australia and jet lag protocols. Farrell must weigh whether to prioritize player quality or availability. Positively, Farrell’s situation regarding conflicts with domestic leagues is more favorable compared to that of former Lions coach Warren Gatland. In 2021, the Premiership final occurred on the same day the Lions played Japan in Edinburgh, and the 2017 tour of New Zealand also encountered scheduling difficulties. For the upcoming tour, both the United Rugby Championship and Premiership finals are scheduled for the weekend preceding the Argentina warm-up match. Doris led Ireland to a series draw away to world champions South Africa over the summer. In 2021, the captains of Wales (Alun Wyn Jones), England (Owen Farrell), Ireland (Johnny Sexton), and Scotland (Stuart Hogg) all possessed considerable Lions experience. However, the current scenario presents a different outlook. England captain Jamie George, a Lions veteran, has a strong likelihood of touring but faces intense competition for a Test position at hooker. Wales’ Dewi Lake, also a hooker, has demonstrated commendable performance both on and off the field this autumn but lacks prior Lions tour experience. This also applies to Ireland’s Caelan Doris. The Scotland captaincy has recently rotated, but appears to have settled with the exceptional centre Sione Tuipulotu. He is considered a certainty for the touring squad, yet he also lacks any previous Lions experience. While this might not be a major concern – Sam Warburton was a Lions debutant when appointed captain in 2013 – Farrell nonetheless has fewer seasoned leaders available compared to Gatland on earlier tours. With 2024 nearing its end, Doris stands out as the primary contender. His performance at number eight has been consistently strong over recent seasons – earning him a spot on the world player of the year shortlist – and his leadership experience is developing at both provincial and national levels. Nevertheless, the Six Nations is expected to be crucial once more; the Championship victors have supplied the Lions captain for three of the preceding four tours. Farrell might also consider candidates beyond the four national team captains. In 1997, Martin Johnson captained the Lions without leading England, a precedent followed by Ireland’s Paul O’Connell in 2009 and Warburton in 2017. England’s Maro Itoje, who started Tests on the last two tours, fits this profile and is among the bookmakers’ favorites. O’Gara has led French side La Rochelle to three successive Champions Cup finals. While Farrell has the luxury of time for player selection, assembling his coaching staff is a more pressing matter, requiring negotiations between the Lions organization and various unions or clubs to secure coaches’ release from their current contracts. Theoretically, Farrell has an extensive pool of coaches from which to form an ideal backroom team; however, the practicalities differ somewhat. England head coach Steve Borthwick, who was a crucial figure in 2017 and sought by Gatland for 2021, is unavailable. Gregor Townsend, an assistant in South Africa three years prior and a Lions legend as a player, is anticipated to lead his Scotland team on their summer tour. Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby is assuming Farrell’s previous responsibilities. Other prominent names have been suggested. Ronan O’Gara, a three-time Lions tourist and highly successful coach, would be an excellent acquisition for Farrell, but his release from La Rochelle for the critical phase of the Top 14 season is improbable. Shaun Edwards’ release by France is even less likely, given Les Bleus’ tour to New Zealand next July. Consequently, Farrell’s coaching staff will largely be drawn from individuals currently coaching within the home unions. Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, and Felix Jones, a former England coach who will be a free agent by next summer, are all strong candidates. Ireland forwards coach O’Connell, who toured commendably in 2005, 2009, and 2013, is also a prospect. O’Connell was considered for a coaching role previously but lacked top-level experience then, a factor no longer relevant four years later. Aled Walters, Ireland’s strength and conditioning expert, is regarded as a definite inclusion. In January, Farrell will head a Lions delegation to Australia for a reconnaissance visit, preceding his primary scouting endeavor, the Six Nations. Initially, however, he plans to spend several weeks settling into his new role, facilitated by his Sandymount residence being in close proximity to Lions headquarters in Ballsbridge. He stated his intention to avoid hasty major decisions: “Obviously there is a bit of planning that needs to happen. I am going to give myself a little bit of space to get across all that. If you get things done too early, you can’t undo them. So a little bit of patience and now I’ll have a bit of time to be able to hopefully see the path as it should be.”