Andy Farrell needed no second invitation when offered the opportunity to lead The British & Irish Lions on their 2025 Tour of Australia.
Farrell was named Head Coach at the head office of global insurance group, Howden, a Principal Partner for the upcoming 2025 Tour.
Farrell was a unanimous choice put forward by a selection panel chaired by Ben Calveley, British & Irish Lions CEO, and comprising of Lions royalty, Sir Ian McGeechan, 1997 tourist Nigel Redman, 2005 captain Brian O’Driscoll and Lions Chairperson.
Having previously served as an assistant coach under Warren Gatland in both 2013 and 2017, Farrell is only too aware of the magnitude of the responsibility.
He said: “To be called up 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 a feel of what it’s all about.
“Those of us who have been lucky enough to go on Lions Tours as a supporter or support the Lions and what the Lions stand for at home, know what a special place this is. For me to be selected as Head Coach is almost beyond words.”
Leading the Lions into a new era…
Your #Lions2025 Head Coach: Andy Farrell.#Howden @CanterburyNZ
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 11, 2024
The current Ireland Head Coach led the side to the top of the world rankings and a Grand Slam in 2023.
He will take charge of the Lions on secondment from December 2024. And Farrell explained that when the opportunity presented itself, he immediately said yes.
He added: “We had a conversation a couple of months ago, myself and Ben. He laid out the different ramifications of what it involved to be the Head Coach and he didn’t need to do that. It was a no-brainer because it’s such an honour.
“It’s the pinnacle for the players. After a World Cup, the next big thing to aim for is to be selected for The British & Irish Lions.
“From their point of view, it’s the best of the best, and the reason that the camaraderie and the history and the brand are so strong is because those players want to make sure they earn the respect of their peers on those tours. That makes them stronger.
“For me to be Head Coach, you can imagine how much I am bursting with pride.”
Source – British & Irish Lions
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