Farrell appointed Lions coach for Australia tour

LONDON : Ireland coach Andy Farrell was named as head coach of the British and Irish Lions for their tour of Australia in 2025 on Thursday, a just reward for the former England international's remarkable achievements with his adopted nation.

The widely-expected confirmation came at a news conference on Thursday, though Farrell has yet to make any decisions about the make-up of his team of assistants.

Farrell, father of England captain Owen, was an assistant to Warren Gatland on the 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand, though he made himself unavailable for the 2021 South Africa tour.

Farrell, 48, became Ireland head coach in 2019, leading them to a first series win in New Zealand and to a Six Nations Grand Slam last year.

They lost to New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals, but Farrell was still named World Rugby's coach of the year. He previously spent four years as assistant coach with England.

His contract was extended to 2027 last December, when the Irish Rugby Football Union said they would be "ecstatic" if he was given the Lions job and would discuss how much time he would need away from the Ireland role.

The former Wigan and Britain rugby league star also played for the England union team, including at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He is the first Ireland coach to lead the Lions since Noel Murphy on the 1980 tour of South Africa and the first Englishman since Clive Woodward in 2005 in New Zealand.

"It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to be named head coach," Farrell said. "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