Warren Gatland has confirmed that he will not be the Head Coach of the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia. Gatland believes that it is now time for a new face in the role, and he backs Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell to take over his position.
Gatland confirmed his intentions to step away from the iconic touring side earlier today, via a self written column for the Telegraph.
The news has come amongst speculation that the Wales Head Coach would step down from his British & Irish Lions commitments, having been the side’s Head Coach for the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours.
Gatland identified Andy Farrell as the next in line, and re-called in the colomn discussions he had with Wales Director of Rugby Nigel Walker, about stepping away from future Lions commitments.
“A few weeks ago, I was asked by Nigel Walker, Wales’ director of rugby, if I was interested in putting my name forward to be head coach for the next tour in Australia in 2025.”
“It did not take long to get back to him. I told him I was not going to put my name forward. I told Nigel that I would have no problem if any of my support staff were to be asked to be involved as I would see it as a great experience for them.
“But I think it is the opportunity now for someone else to be head coach and Andy Farrell would have my backing for the job.
“You cannot deny what Ireland have achieved as a nation over the last few years and you are starting to see the fruition of the alignment between the Irish provinces and the union. There is no doubt that Andy has done a fantastic job.”
With Farrell as Head Coach, Ireland achieved their longest-ever run of consecutive victories and their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2018. Ireland strung together 17 wins in a row before they were ultimately felled by New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. This record dates back to the 2022 Summer Tour, with the All Blacks starting and ending an incredible run of Irish form.
Farrell built Ireland into the best team in the world, with the men from the Emerald Isle occupying the number one slot in the World Rugby rankings for a year and three months (July 2022 to October 2023).
Farrell was subsequently been named World Rugby Coach of the Year, with the awards ceremony taking place last Sunday in Paris. Gatland believes that Farrell should be judged on what he has achieved with Ireland, and that people should look past the Rugby World Cup quarter-final curse.
“Even though Ireland lost their quarter-final to New Zealand, it was an epic match and it could have gone either way. And that is sport. Everyone always just looks at results rather than what teams have achieved and the progress they have made.
“Andy has got really good man-management skills, has huge experience in the game as a professional from a young age in rugby league and I have a huge amount of respect for him as a person and as a coach.”
Gatland is more than familiar with Farrell, and recognises how he has what it takes to lead the fabled ‘Army of Red’. The duo began as British and Irish Lions coaching colleagues, before lining up on opposite touchlines for Six Nations clashes earlier this year.
“He was a key member of my Lions coaching teams on the tours of 2013 and 2017 and I wanted him again for the South Africa tour.” Gatland said in his Telegraph column.
“Unfortunately I was told Ireland were not keen on releasing him because of the need to develop another fly-half behind Johnny Sexton – even though there was an opportunity for him to go to South Africa, who were in their World Cup pool, and get a close-up look at them over seven weeks.
“I passionately believe that all the home unions should make their coaches available for the Lions if asked. If nothing else it is a great opportunity to develop as a coach, share ideas and learn from each other.”
Who could replace Steve Borthwick at Twickenham?
4. Rob Baxter – 12/1
Rob Baxter, who guided the Devon-based club from the Championship to European champions in 10 years has done this largely with a core of players that have come through the academy at Exeter.
With this season’s club performance not at the level of previous years, it may be time for him to move on and into the Test game in the near futuree.
Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no experience outside of Exeter. “I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are,” Baxter said of the England job back in December.
“Unless you know what it is, it’s hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I’m not looking for another job! I’m very happy here,” he added.
