BREAKING: Andy Farrell confirms FOUR Lions assistant coaches
03/26/2025 06:21 AM
The countdown to the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Men's Tour to Australia is on, and Head Coach Andy Farrell has just unveiled his dream team of assistants!
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Farrell's backroom team for the 2025 Lions Tour will be stacked with talent, featuring five new Assistant Coaches who bring a mix of international experience from across the rugby world. Joining the Lions are: John Dalziel (Scotland), Simon Easterby, John Fogarty, Andrew Goodman, and Richard Wigglesworth (all from Ireland and England).
The British & Irish Lions' announcement comes just ahead of the 1888 Cup in Dublin and, of course, the much-anticipated Tour to Australia. Farrell is pumped about the new additions, saying, "It's a huge honour to assemble this coaching group. Every one of these guys brings something unique to the table, and I'm buzzing to work with them on this historic tour.”
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
- 4 x Night's accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
- 7 x Night's accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
- 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
- 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
- Additional events to be announced
The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
The Coaches Speak:
- John Dalziel (Scotland) shared his excitement, calling it a "huge honour" to join the coaching ranks. He's ready to face Argentina in Dublin, calling them "one of the form teams in the world right now."
- Simon Easterby (Ireland), who's no stranger to Lions tours, reflected on his long journey, saying, "It doesn't get any better than a Lions Tour. It's been 20 years since I was part of it as a player, and now I'm back as a coach, ready for the challenge."
- John Fogarty (Ireland) admitted he was left "speechless" when Farrell called him up. He's "incredibly proud" and can't wait to get started, adding, "There's something special about bringing the home nations and their supporters together.”
- Andrew Goodman (Ireland) had to take a moment to process the call from Farrell, saying it left him "shocked…excited—all the emotions." He's particularly thrilled to be working with both familiar faces and new ones in what promises to be "an exciting mix".
- Richard Wigglesworth (England) couldn't hide his pride either, calling the appointment "an understatement" in terms of how good it feels to be part of the Lions set-up. He added, "When I got the call, I was on dad duty with my daughter. It was a special moment, and I'm looking forward to working with Farrell again."
Marcus Smith set to miss out on the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour
With just over a month until the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad is revealed, the odds are showing which players are most likely to earn a spot on the prestigious tour.
Back-Three: Speed, Power, and Flair
The back-three options for the Lions are packed with dynamic talent. From powerful wingers to dependable fullbacks, the competition is fierce.
Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe is practically a lock, with odds of 1/16, while Ireland's James Lowe and Hugo Keenan also look set to make the squad. With plenty of flair and power in this group, it's going to be a tough decision for the selectors.
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – 8/11
- Mack Hansen (Ireland) – 2/1
Centre: Physicality Meets Creativity
In the centres, the Lions have a wealth of players who can bring both physicality and creativity. Ireland's Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw top the list, with Aki's odds sitting comfortably at 1/5. Scotland's Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are also in strong contention, bringing versatility and power to the midfield.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Huw Jones (Scotland) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
Fly-Halves: The Masterminds of Attack
Fly-half is one of the most critical positions for any team, and the Lions have three top-class contenders. Scotland's Finn Russell leads the way with odds of 1/10, while England's Fin Smith and Ireland's Sam Prendergast are hot on his heels.
Russell's vision and flair will make him a key playmaker, but Smith and Prendergast bring youthful energy and composure to the table.
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Fin Smith (England) – 8/15
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – 8/11
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