British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell to rely on Ireland-heavy staff as Johnny Sexton set for shock role
Andy Farrell will unveil his coaching team on Wednesday, March 26.
Andy Farrell is set to name an Irish-dominant coaching staff for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in July with Johnny Sexton set for a shock coaching role, according to reports.
Farrell was replaced as Ireland’s head coach for the 2025 Six Nations in order to continue his preparations for the tour with Simon Easterby overseeing their title defence.
The interim coach led them to a third-place finish overall with France clinching the title on Super Saturday with a thumping 35-16 victory over Scotland in the final game of the tournament.
Despite Ireland’s underwhelming performances in the Six Nations, it is reported that Easterby will join Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching team.
Farrell to rely on Ireland coaches in the summer
Initially, it was understood that Easterby’s interim role would extend to the July internationals with Ireland touring Georgia and Portugal.
However, according to a report by Telegraph Sport, he will tour with the Lions instead, with the remit of his role still unclear as Easterby has served as a defence and forward’s coach for Ireland.
He is set to make up a strong Irish coaching contingent that will not include Paul O’Connell. According to the report, Easterby will be joined by Ireland scrum coach John Fogerty with Aled Walters, David Nucifora and Vinny Hammond already on board as head of athletic performance, general manager and head of analysis respectively.
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Initially, it was reported that former Ireland captain and fly-half Johnny Sexton could be entrusted with running the Lions’ attack but instead, it looks as if Andrew Goodman will take charge of that area of expertise which Scotland coach Gregor Townsend handled during the 2021 tour to Australia.
It is rumoured that Sexton will fill Goodman’s void with the Ireland team on their tour of Georgia and Portugal, which would be his first official coaching position after consulting with the team during the 2025 Six Nations, sitting in the coach’s box for their final match of the tournament against Italy in Rome.
Farrell is set to unveil his coaching team on Wednesday, March 26, and it is reported that France defence coach Shaun Edwards will not be part of the set-up having taken on the role back in 2009.
Edwards has stated that he would swim to Australia if it meant that he would be involved in the coaching team but it is understood that the French Rugby Union are not willing to release him for the tour.
“I’d swim it to Australia if Faz gives me a shout,” he told the Times in January.
“I know that if you’re in good form, then you have a chance. That probably means winning the Six Nations.”
Sexton and O’Brien to assist O’Connell
This could open the door for Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy who led the Lions’ defence during the tour to South Africa four years ago, with Easterby then likely to handle the forwards.
It is therefore unlikely that any of the current England or Wales coaches will be joining the Lions in the summer despite Steve Borthwick’s side finishing the highest of the four home nations in the Six Nations.
However, Borthwick has backed his captain Maro Itoje to lead the touring team if he is called upon.
“I think Maro’s been absolutely outstanding. He leads by example and he’s stepped up his game,” he said after England’s win over Wales on Saturday.
“He’s improved in many areas in this campaign. I’d be fully confident in Maro to lead the Lions should Andy ask him.”
If Easterby is to join Farrell on the Lions tour, reports in Ireland suggest that O’Connell will take over as the interim head coach and will be joined by Sexton who would fill Goodman’s position while his former teammate Sean O’Brien is also primed for a role in the set-up for the summer. O’Brien has been involved with Leinster’s coaching team since calling time on his playing career.
