Meet the five new British and Irish Lions assistant coaches that form Andy Farrell’s backroom team
The British and Irish Lions coaching group in full at a media event
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his assistant coaches for the upcoming tour of Australia, turning to some of the best coaches the four nations have to offer.
Ireland staff members Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman have all been named alongside Scotland’s John Dalziel and England’s Richard Wigglesworth.
Following their announcements, Planet Rugby gives you an insight into each coach’s history in the professional game.
Simon Easterby
Farrell’s trusted right-hand man Easterby was one of the favourites to be on this ticket, and it’s panned out exactly that way.
Easterby’s coaching career began in 2010 as he was named Scarlets defence coach, before becoming head coach of the Welsh region in 2012. In 2014, he joined the Ireland coaching staff under Joe Schmidt as forwards coach, and has remained with the national side ever since.
Following Farrell’s move to head coach, Easterby took over the reins as defence coach, and most recently served as interim head coach during the recent Six Nations campaign
As a player, Easterby toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2005 and won 65 caps for Ireland.
John Fogarty
Fellow Irish staff member Fogarty has also been named on Farrell’s ticket after serving under him on the Emerald Isle.
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His coaching career began in 2015 as he joined Leinster as scrum coach. After five years with the province, Fogarty joined Farrell’s staff at Ireland in the same capacity and has been with the men in green ever since.
During his playing career, the former hooker featured for Munster, Connacht and Leinster and also won one cap for Ireland in 2010.
Andrew Goodman
New Zealand native Goodman is the third and final Irish coach to follow Farrell onto Lions duty this summer.
After impressing as head of rugby at Nelson College, Goodman enjoyed spells as head coach of NPC side Tasman and served as assistant coach at the Crusaders under current All Blacks boss Scott Robertson until moving north to join Leinster. He was also a member of the Samoan coaching group during the 2023 World Cup before joining Ireland as backs coach.
He also represented Leinster during his playing career, helping them win the Celtic League and Challenge Cup.
John Dalziel
The sole Scottish member of this coaching group is forwards coach Dalziel, who is arguably the most experienced coach on Farrell’s staff.
After a lengthy spell as Melrose boss, Dalziel was named head coach of the Scotland U20s team. After two years, he left to join English Championship side London Scottish as forwards coach before later becoming head coach of the Scotland Sevens team. He later returned to 15s to join Glasgow Warriors as forwards guru before holding the same role under Gregor Townsend with Scotland.
As a player, Dalziel played for the Border Reivers and represented the Barbarians.
Richard Wigglesworth
England’s one and only representative on Farrell’s staff is attack coach Richard Wigglesworth.
His coaching career began in dramatic fashion, as he was thrust into the Leicester Tigers head coach role following Steve Borthwick’s departure to England. His stint in the East Midlands was only on a short-term basis, though, as he too headed to England to join Borthwick as assistant coach.
Wigglesworth has also worked with the Lions head coach during his playing career, with Farrell on the England coaching staff between 2011 and 2015. Across his stellar playing career, Wigglesworth won 33 caps for England and in club colours, won seven Premiership titles with Saracens, Sale and Leicester, three Champions Cups and one Challenge Cup.
