‘Faz knows what’s needed to win’ – England legend touts Andy Farrell to lead British and Irish Lions to success
Andy Farrell (centre) with an inset of Jason Robinson (left)
As Andy Farrell prepares to name his British & Irish Lions squad, former team-mate Jason Robinson has declared: “I always knew he was destined for greatness.”
Farrell’s squad for the summer tour of Australia will be announced on Thursday as the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are selected in a group expected to be around 37 strong.
‘He has transmitted that same desire and will to win to the coaching environment’
Leading the Lions down under as head coach for the first time marks another hugely significant chapter in the career of the cross-code legend.
Farrell was one of the best players in rugby league alongside Robinson at Wigan before crossing codes to play for Saracens in 2005 and then embarking on a stellar coaching journey.
He has held roles at Saracens, England, the Lions and as head coach of Ireland, but leading the Lions in Australia will top everything.
Farrell’s rise comes as no surprise to legendary former England and Lions winger Robinson, who told Planet Rugby: “As teenagers, Faz and I came through the ranks together at Wigan in the early 1990s.
“Even then, his work ethic, commitment and attention to detail – and not least what they demanded of himself – was clear to see.
“He has transmitted that same desire and will to win from his playing career to the coaching environment.
“I’m not saying everything Andy’s done has always been easy because it hasn’t been, but he has built his reputation and what he has now through his strength of character.
“It’s just an amazing achievement to see where Faz is now as head coach of the Lions. It’s one thing doing it as a player and quite another doing it as a coach – but that’s where he’s got to.”
‘Wigan is a remarkable breeding ground’
Wigan is a remarkable breeding ground for talent, with some of the finest rugby brains – players and coaches – hailing from the town.
Shaun Edwards, now also one of the most respected coaches in the game, was also a teammate of Robinson and Farrell at Wigan.
“It just seems like so much of what Shaun and Faz picked up was through Wigan,” added Robinson.
“Wigan as a club and a town is just an incredible place for producing some of the best rugby players there have ever been.”
“In 1994, our Wigan team went to Australia to play Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge. Winning the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003 superseded everything, but, in terms of club games, 1994 in Brisbane was the best I ever had.”
“Shaun and a very young Faz were massive in that game, and they have carried that relentless will to win throughout their careers.”
“For them, it’s about a consistency in performance, backing it up and not getting complacent. You see that now with Faz – there’s a hunger there, and if you’re going to ask so much of your players, then you have to know what’s needed. Faz certainly knows what’s needed to win at the very highest level.”
“It’s not all fancy stuff, and the reason why Wigan were so successful wasn’t just because we had so many great players.
“It was down to us doing the basics so well and pushing each other and fronting up physically – not missing tackles and backing each other up.
“It just seems that this is Shaun and Faz’s approach now as coaches. They can relate to their players because they’re not old dinosaurs. They understand the challenges and how tough it is.
“Great coaches and leaders know how to get the best out of players.
“Everybody’s different – some players need an arm around them and others a kick up the backside – and while Faz and Shaun are serious about their work, they still have a cheeky edge to them.
“They enjoy having a laugh, but it’s very much work first with hours of video analysis and working on the basics, whether it’s passing, tackling or kicking.
“Andy, I’m sure, will be around for a long time to come, and I wish him every success for the Lions tour this summer.”
“I’ve got so much respect for him in getting that position. I’d back him to thrive and be a huge success, like everything else he has done before in his career.”
READ MORE: British and Irish Lions: Our final 39-man touring party ahead of squad announcement
