Andy Farrell has unveiled his coaching lineup for the British & Irish Lions 2025 tour of Australia—a blend of seasoned names and intriguing choices poised to deliver top-tier test rugby. Alongside this, the initial 75-man squad list is now firmly in the works, with several ‘automatic pick’ players racing to prove their fitness in time for the monumental series.
The British & Irish Lions 2025 tour of Australia promises test rugby at its finest and sets up a mighty head-to-head series between Ireland coach Andy Farrell on sabbatical with the Lions and Wallabies supremo Joe Schmidt, his former mentor in Irish rugby. To ensure your all-inclusive place at this clash of the titans with ES Sport, Click here.
Confirmed Coaching Staff Selections
Among the assistants, standout names include England number two Richard Wigglesworth and recent interim Ireland boss Simon Easterby, along with John Fogarty Ireland’s scrum coach, and New Zealander Andrew Goodman now appointed as the Irish backs coach until 2027. This lineup is complemented by the surprise inclusion of Scotland’s forwards coach John Dalziel, potentially partnering with John Fogarty.
A further unexpected later addition was Johnny Sexton, former Ireland fly-half, who retired after the 2023 World Cup, and played on two Lions tours in 2013 and 2017. He started all three Tests against the Wallabies in 2013 and went on to take on the All Blacks in the next test series four years later, playing 14 times in the famous red jersey, across the two tours.
Sexton has been working with Ireland in a casual coaching role since the Autumn Nations Series but will be taking up a full-time appointment with the Irish Rugby Football Union from August 1 this year. The now 39-year-old former Leinster and Ireland captain will be working with both the men’s and women’s senior teams as well as age-grade teams.
Reaction as the Lions Coaching Team Comes Together
Commenting on his British & Irish Lions coaching team appointments to media, Andy Farrell reflected on the pride that came with the selection process:
“Putting together a Lions coaching team is an honour and a privilege – and the five phone calls made to this group of coaches reminds you just how special and unique it is,” Farrell said.
“This coaching group has versatility and are interchangeable in their skill set, which is a vital asset to have on a Lions tour.
“I think we have a fantastic mix and every one of these guys will bring their own character and personality to the team,” he concluded.
Richard Wigglesworth underscored the sense of pride associated with being asked to work on the British & Irish Lions 2025 tour of Australia.
Wigglesworth who has supervised England’s attack since 2023 undoubtedly benefited from his sides strong finish in this year’s Six Nations, as the Red-Rose politely routed Italy and Wales as part of an outstanding runners-up campaign.
The former England scrum half first got to know Farrell during their time together at Saracens between 2010 and 2012.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be part of the Lions. Proud is probably an understatement for how I am feeling right now,” Wigglesworth said.
“I never got to play with Andy, but he was my coach at Saracens and England, so I know his calibre and I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with him.”
Former Ireland flanker Simon Easterby, took over as caretaker Ireland coach for the Six Nations during the absence of Andy Farrell, who had already started on his Lions sabbatical, was equally appreciative of the honour.
“I was lucky enough to tour with the Lions 20 years ago. It’s been a long time between gigs, but it’s an exciting time and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in,” Easterby 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,” he went on to say.
Pencils at the Ready to List an Initial 75-man Squad list
As the British & Irish Lions 2025 tour of Australia coaching group gathered in London for the first time, one of the first tasks assigned by Farrell to himself and his assistant coaches was to start pencilling in names of players in contention for inclusion in the tour following the conclusion of this year’s Six Nations. The tournament was won by France, with England finishing one point adrift in a very good second place, while 2024 champions Ireland had to make do with a third-place finish, and Wales were subjected to their second successive Wooden Spoon. How these standings influence what ends up as the final squad list is harder to deduce at this moment in time with plenty of good players injured in all camps.
Andy Farrell’s Word on the Long Shortlist
“We came up with about 75 men or something like that. Every single one of them deserves to be on that list,” Farrell commented in early press reviews.
“There’s going to be a hell of a lot of good players who don’t make the plane and that’s exactly where we want to be. We want to be as competitive as we possibly can.
“Obviously, we’re going to be watching other games that are coming up.”
Final Thoughts
The British & Irish Lions 2025 tour of Australia is not just a series of matches; it is a celebration of rugby, showcasing the best the sport has to offer. As the Lions prepare for their epic journey to Australia, fans worldwide can expect a fierce contest that embodies the spirit of rugby and camaraderie between hemispheres.
The Lions are due to get their summer under way against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before heading Down Under later that month. The first of three monumental Test matches kicks off on July 19 in Brisbane, the second in Melbourne on July 26 and the overall tour concludes with a third and final Test against the Wallabies on August 2 in Sydney.
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