Warren Gatland: Andy Farrell missed a trick with Springboks series which will impact British and Irish Lions
Current British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell and former boss Warren Gatland.
Former British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland felt that it was potentially a mistake for Andy Farrell to take charge of Ireland in their mid-year series.
The 49-year-old has been selected as the person to lead the famous touring team in Australia.
Farrell will take a sabbatical in 2025, missing the first half of the year, which includes the Six Nations, to focus on Lions duties.
Gatland’s experience
However, Gatland, who was head coach for the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours, insists that the Ireland boss would have also been better served by missing the Springboks series as well.
“I can understand why Andy wants to keep coaching with Ireland through to the autumn, and his side finished their tour of South Africa with a magnificent victory,” he wrote in his Telegraph column.
“But I would have probably taken a sabbatical if there was the opportunity, so I could have been here in Australia, watching from a coaching perspective, taking a look around and doing the tour recce.
“That is definitely not me being critical of Andy. I totally understand why he wants to keep coaching at the highest level against the best teams, and he will have learned a lot from watching how the Irish players stood up to the challenge of playing the world champions away from home.”
Gatland has a vast knowledge of the Lions having been head coach of the past three tours, which included the successful trip to Australia 11 years ago.
The Lions emerged triumphant over the Wallabies in 2013 as they claimed their first series victory for 16 years following a 2-1 win.
“Of the Lions’ host nations, Australia is probably the least intimidating because rugby union is competing for attention with the AFL, rugby league and football,” the current Wales boss wrote.
“I can remember travelling to Melbourne on the 2013 tour and someone asking me who were all the people in red jerseys. They had no idea the Lions tour was even on.
“That is in sharp contrast to New Zealand and South Africa, where at times during a Lions tour you can feel that the world is caving in on you because of the intense interest in the game.
“Australia makes for a more enjoyable tour from a coaching perspective because you come here, visit great cities and the weather is normally pretty good.”
Chat with Farrell
Gatland stated that he has already imparted his wisdom onto Farrell, who will have a huge responsibility when the 2025 series comes around.
“I have already sat down with Andy to talk through the challenges and demands, and he has picked my brains about what I did and why on previous tours,” he added.
“He is likely to appoint his coaching staff after the autumn series and put together his support staff: heads of strength and conditioning, analysis and medical, all key positions.
“From my perspective, if he wants to take any of my coaching team at Wales, he will have my full support. I strongly believe that you can’t deny anyone the opportunity to be a part of the Lions. It is a great experience.”
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