British & Irish Lions coaches leaked 48 hours before official announcement

Monday, 24 March 2025 at 14:21

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byRugby Rucker

Andy Farrell is set to unveil his coaching team for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, but the line-up has already been leaked 48 hours before the official announcement.

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The Lions head coach has secured key appointments, including Aled Walters as head of athletic performance, David Nucifora as general manager, and Vinny Hammond as head of analysis. However, some major roles remain, and the full picture of Farrell’s backroom team is now all but confirmed.

Predominantly Irish Ticket with No England or Wales Coaches

According to The Irish Times, Farrell – who has been on sabbatical from his Ireland duties to prepare for the Lions – is opting for a heavily Irish coaching team. Surprisingly, coaches from England and Wales are set to be left out altogether.

The most eye-catching appointment is Simon Easterby, who filled in as interim Ireland boss during the Six Nations. He was expected to lead Ireland’s summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal but is now tipped to become the Lions' defence coach. Paul O’Connell is expected to take temporary charge of the Irish team in his absence.

Blow for Wales as Easterby Moves to the Lions

Easterby’s appointment is a potential blow for Wales. The former Scarlets coach had been linked with replacing Warren Gatland following his departure and was a candidate to lead Wales on their summer tour to Japan.

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Andrew Goodman and John Fogerty Set to Join the Setup

Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman is set to be named as the Lions' attack coach, while Irish scrum coach John Fogerty is expected to continue in his familiar role under Farrell this summer. Another name linked with the tour is Scotland’s defence coach and Welshman Steve Tandy.

Big Names Left Out – Edwards Also Absent

Several high-profile names are set to miss out, including Adam Jones, Tom Harrison, and Richard Wigglesworth. Former Lions captain Paul O’Connell has reportedly turned down a role on the tour.

Shaun Edwards, who previously said he would "swim to Australia" if asked to join the staff, will also be absent due to his ongoing commitment to France this summer.

15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour

With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.

Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we’ve taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.

OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD

Here’s a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.

Props

Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Ellis Genge (England) – The 'Baby Rhino' brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.

Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)

Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler’s experience will be vital.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.

Hookers

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.

Dewi Lake (Wales)

Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.

Locks

Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.

Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.

Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.

Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.

Back Row

Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.

Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.

Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.

Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.

Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.

Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.

Scrum-halves

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

Alex Mitchell (England) – Slick distribution and speed make him a real threat.

Ben White (Scotland)

Out-halves

Finn Russell (Scotland) – The magician with the golden touch.

Fin Smith (England) – England’s rising star earns his place.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – Future Irish fly-half maestro.

Centres

Bundee Aki (Ireland) – A wrecking ball in midfield.

Huw Jones (Scotland)

Owen Farrell (England) – His experience and leadership could prove invaluable.

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Back Three

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A try-scoring machine.

Tommy Freeman (England) – Versatility and pace make him an asset.

James Lowe (Ireland)

Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Electric feet and finishing ability.

Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – Provides utility value and composure.

Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – Almost certain to be the starting fullback.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – The young speedster could light up the tour.

Why These England Stars Make the Cut

After reviewing the squad, 15 England players make the squad, not just eight as initially suggested. Here’s a closer look at those making the journey to Australia:

Ellis Genge – Loosehead prop with aggression and power.
Kyle Sinckler – Experienced tighthead who thrives on the big stage.
Will Stuart – Strong scrummager who adds depth at tighthead.
Jamie George – Experienced hooker with Lions pedigree.
Maro Itoje – An automatic selection with his world-class performances.
Ollie Chessum – Dynamic and athletic, perfect for the Lions.
George Martin – Physical and uncompromising in defence.
Ben Curry – Relentless tackler and breakdown specialist.
Tom Curry – Established Lions veteran with proven class.
Ben Earl – Explosive ball carrier and Premiership standout.
Alex Mitchell – Offers tempo and flair at scrum-half.
Fin Smith – The young playmaker has shown composure beyond his years.
Owen Farrell – His leadership and ability to control a game are unmatched.
Tommy Freeman – A versatile back three option with pace and power.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – The electric winger who has lit up the Premiership.

Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players

Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?

Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we’ll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let’s find out!