LONDON :British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has leaned on his Ireland connections by appointing Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty, along with Richard Wigglesworth and John Dalziel, as his assistants for this year’s Australia tour.
Farrell, in charge of the Lions on a sabbatical from his Ireland head coach role, confirmed the lineup in London on Wednesday, with three men from the Ireland set-up, a Scot and an Englishman, but, for the first time since 2001, nobody from Wales.
Easterby filled in for Farrell as interim Ireland coach during the Six Nations and had been expected to stay in charge for the summer tests against Georgia and Portugal, but instead joins the Lions.
Former England scrumhalf Wigglesworth, number two to England head coach Steve Borthwick, and Scotland forwards coach Dalziel complete the lineup.
“This coaching group has versatility and are interchangeable in their skillset, which is a vital asset to have on a Lions Tour,” said Farrell, who will name his playing squad on May 8 in an event at London’s 02 attended by thousands of fans for the first time.
“I think we have a fantastic mix and every one of these guys will bring their own character and personality to the team.
“A Lions tour is all about understanding the demands that we will face on and off the pitch and a fresh perspective among this coaching group is something that I am really excited by.”
Farrell said he has drawn up a list of around 75 players, from which a final group of 35-40 will make the cut.
“Every single one of them deserves to be on that list and there are going to be a hell of a lot of good players who don’t make the plane,” he said.
IDEAL FIT
Easterby, brought up in England but who played club rugby in Wales and internationals for Ireland and the Lions, looks an ideal fit.
“I was lucky enough to tour with the Lions 20 years ago. It’s been a long time between gigs, but it is an exciting time,” he said.
“To tour as a player and now as a coach, knowing the group of players that we have the potential of working with, is something that I can’t wait to get stuck into.”
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said: “I would like to congratulate Simon, John and Andrew on their selection. It is a huge statement of faith in their skill-sets and standing within the wider game.”
Humphreys confirmed that Ireland’s forwards coach Paul O’Connell would take over the coaching duties for the team’s summer tour.
The Lions play Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before five warm-up matches in Australia and the three tests on July 19, July 26 and August 2.
The Lions won their last series in Australia 2-1 in 2013 having lost the previous series 2-1 in 2001.
Their last tour was under COVID conditions in South Africa in 2021, when they lost 2-1.
