From ‘hurt arena’ to ‘cultural architect,’ Andy Farrell was destined to lead the Lions،
Thursday's announcement of Andy Farrell's appointment as British and Irish Lions coach has already set the bar for this year as rugby's least surprising news. The Lions committee said it took about six months of rigorous analysis to select Farrell as a candidate for the head coaching position. Surely it couldn't have taken that long. He has long been by far the standout man to lead the Lions to Australia next year.
But for those whose memories of Farrell in the Lions role date back to that speech he gave as defense coach in 2013 and the way he challenged the players to take Australia in the “injured arena” because “there is no tomorrow”, don't expect the same this time when he takes the famous tourists to Australia in 2025.
“I’ve probably grown up a bit since then, I’m probably not as dramatic!” Farrell said Thursday. “I won't play a movie star role, I'll just be myself and make sure the team comes first.”
He's a little embarrassed about it now, 11 years later, but he's a man who doesn't waste words. He steps into the Lions' lead role with a reputation as one of the best coaches in world rugby, as the man who regenerated this Irish team and made them one of the most formidable teams on the planet. Those who chose him called him a “cultural architect.” They praised his ability to forge unity and his technical sense. But when asked to sum up exactly what the Lions would get with Farrell as head coach, he responded: “My coaching style is what it is. It's me being myself.” Talking is cheap.
Farrell's long-awaited confirmation as Lions coach begins the countdown to next year's tour. Every time these kinds of announcements are made with the Lions, it's impossible to escape the pervasive nostalgia. Next year will be the 137th anniversary of the Lions. In the room at the top of main sponsor Howden's building in central London on Thursday were memorabilia from past Lions tours.
Sir Ian McGeechan was present, stooping in embarrassment when called “Mr Lions” by Farrell. Also present were Jason Leonard, Gavin Hastings, Geordan Murphy, Ugo Monye and Ieuan Evans, who chairs this trip to the antipodes. That's 17 tours between them as players and coach (McGeechan was head coach four times, assistant coach once), spanning 50 years between those who sat there watching Farrell be anointed. “I don't feel the pressure of it. I feel the excitement of it because I know what it feels like,” Farrell said. “Of course you fight to be as successful as possible, but I don’t feel the pressure of that.”
Farrell's elevation to head coach of the Lions is a testament to his ability, diligence and the esteem in which he is held by those within the sport. His first involvement with the Lions was in 2013, when he was defense coach for that trip to Australia, just two years after being named England defense coach. There he gave his famous 'wounded in the arena' speech as he helped Gatland's Lions to a 2-1 victory. “He took a big beating from me in 2013,” Farrell said of Gatland, saying he was still inexperienced.
He left England after the 2015 World Cup and took on the role of Ireland's defense coach. He was part of the 2017 squad again under Gatland for their 1-1 draw against the All Blacks, but then missed the 2021 tour of South Africa, which the Lions lost 2-1. He knows what it takes to be part of a successful Lions tour, but it is his record with Ireland that has tipped the scales massively in his favour.
He took over the top job in Ireland after the 2019 World Cup, replacing Joe Schmidt who could be the next Wallabies coach. He led Ireland to a historic 2-1 series win over New Zealand in 2022 and first place in the rankings. He masterminded their 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, and they headed into last year's Men's World Cup as one of the favorites, only to come up against an inspired All Blacks side in the quarter-final.
His thoughts today – three months after that release – are still raw, but also compelling, laying bare the competitiveness and desire to win that runs through his veins. “It can only be down to fine margins, the bounce of a ball or luck,” Farrell said. “You have to cover more bases than that and fight harder to make sure you succeed. After the final whistle, there's nothing bittersweet… It's not bitter, you just have to 'learn.”
Farrell will officially take over at the Lions in December, having guided Ireland through the Six Nations, the summer tour to South Africa and the end-of-year internationals, but he already has half an eye on the candidates potential on the tour. “Selection is always in the back of my mind, is that you're always aware of all the cards that might be dealt to you, and then you choose something in your mind all the time, but you stay open-minded enough that it changes. My way would be to constantly play devil's advocate, throw things out, ask the right questions and see how it galvanizes together and fits in as a group. This process will start here from today today.
There are several steps to take before Farrell, boxes to check. He will name his assistant coaches early next year. “I’m not in any rush at all,” Farrell said. “There's a long way to go, right? There are a lot of coaches who are just starting to take on new roles. Some people will become better as coaches under pressure, so I'll just sit and watch.”
The team is normally named a few months after the tour, along with the captain. “He's got to be a little bit of everything, right? He's got to be genuine and he's got to be the kind of person who won't just show it through his actions, but will show that he cares and “He has all the things that are special. Lions tour captains in the past have done that and more.”
What differs this tour from recent ones is the availability of players. In November 2023, the Lions announced a new strategic partnership with the Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship which, due to a strange schedule change, means players will be available for the entire tour, including the match against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. 2025. This is a huge boost for Farrell in what is usually a rushed exercise in preparing a team.
But one group of players he won't get equal time with are those from France in the Top 14. If a Touring contender's team reaches the Top 14 final next year, that will likely come into conflict with the start of the Tour. Despite this, Farrell will keep a close eye on form across the Channel.
Which brings us to Owen Farrell, the man who led England to the World Cup semi-final in 2023 but who has since retired from Test rugby and is now linked with an end-of-season transfer at Racing 92 in France. When asked what he thought of Owen's decision to step down from England duty, Andy Farrell – Owen's father – replied: “It's his choice. He does what he does. he thinks it's good for him at that moment. You can't leave. You're wrong in that regard, aren't you?”
Waiting for them next year are the Wallabies, who are currently without a head coach following the departure of Eddie Jones in November following their World Cup group stage elimination. Despite their poor form and recent problems, Farrell expects them to get their house in order by the time the tour begins.
“It’s a fact that they will,” Farrell said. “It's the pinnacle for them as a rugby nation. It's the same for them as it is for us. They will achieve it 100 per cent. We all know that deep down. We all look at it like, you know. When someone is injured, people come together to make it right. It's not just huge for Australian rugby, it's huge for the country and what the Lions are going to bring, so they'll do it 100%. %.”
Farrell's challenge is to keep his end of the bargain 100%. Firstly, it’s about getting back to the day job and coaching Ireland in the Six Nations. There they will expect to retain the Grand Slam – that is Farrell's benchmark, and nothing else will do. But with every test match, every competition and eye-catching performance, Farrell's Lions team will take shape.
“It means everything to me. To be considered as a candidate for head coach is pretty special, but to be chosen is pretty magical. For those of us who were lucky enough to go on a Lions tour, or “As a fan, knowing what the Lions stand for, we all know how special it is,” Farrell said. “So, to be honest, for me, to be chosen as coach- boss, it's beyond words.”
