Shaun Edwards among the favourites to be the next head coach of the Lions

Several experienced and innovative leaders are emerging as potential candidates to guide the Lions on what promises to be a defining tour.

Before becoming a respected coach, Steve Tandy worked his way up through Welsh rugby as a player and young coach. His early success with Bridgend Ravens and the Ospreys age-grade teams marked him as a rising talent. After retiring, he led Bridgend to promotion before joining the Waratahs in Australia, where he shaped the team’s renowned “blue wall” defence.

In 2019, Tandy took over as Scotland’s defence coach, earning praise for turning the side into one of the most disciplined defensive units in world rugby. He also served as defence coach for the Lions on their 2021 South Africa tour. His achievements culminated in 2025 when he became Wales head coach—the first Welsh-born appointment since 2007.

Simon Easterby’s rugby journey has come full circle, from Lions player to international coach. After earning his Lions cap in 2005, where he scored a Test try in Wellington, Easterby transitioned into coaching with the Scarlets. He became their head coach in 2012 before moving to Ireland’s backroom staff in 2014. Initially serving as forwards coach, he later took charge of defence, helping build one of the most cohesive units in world rugby.

In 2024, Easterby stepped up as interim Ireland head coach while Andy Farrell led the Lions in Australia. His first Six Nations match in charge—a win over England—showed continuity and composure. Having coached Ireland’s pack through their recent golden era, Easterby’s calm leadership and deep knowledge of Irish rugby make him a strong, quietly effective candidate for future Lions duties.

Since taking over as Scotland head coach in 2017, Gregor Townsend has overseen significant progress. A creative former fly-half with 82 Scotland caps, Townsend was part of the 1997 Lions tour as a player and later became one of the most innovative coaches in Europe. Under his leadership, Scotland claimed famous wins—including their first victory at Twickenham in 38 years in 2021—and earned respect for an attacking, fearless style.

Townsend has Lions experience too: he served as attack coach on the 2021 tour to South Africa, after declining a similar offer in 2017 to focus on Scotland. Known for his tactical flair and willingness to back instinctive rugby, Townsend blends attacking imagination with a growing strategic maturity—qualities that could make him an exciting Lions head coach candidate for 2029.

Often described as one of the greatest defensive minds in rugby history, Shaun Edwards has transformed every team he has touched. After a glittering playing career with Wales and the Lions in the 1980s, Edwards moved into coaching and became synonymous with defensive excellence. He enjoyed enormous success with club sides like London Wasps, winning multiple Premierships and European Cups, before moving to France with Stade Français.

Edwards returned to the international stage as defence coach with Wales and later with Ireland, helping both nations achieve notable success. Known for his tactical acumen, meticulous preparation, and ability to mould cohesive defensive units, Edwards is widely regarded as a potential head coach for the Lions, especially with his proven record in big tournaments.

A meticulous planner and student of the game, Steve Borthwick began coaching while still playing at Saracens. After working alongside Eddie Jones with Japan, he moved to Bristol, then became England’s forwards coach in 2015. Borthwick took charge of Leicester Tigers in 2020, rebuilding the club and leading them to their 11th Premiership title in 2022.

Later that year, he replaced Eddie Jones as England head coach, taking on the task of stabilising a side in transition. Known for his detailed approach to set-pieces and structure, Borthwick also gained Lions experience as forwards coach on the 2017 tour to New Zealand. His combination of tactical discipline and leadership through rebuilding phases makes him a credible contender to lead the Lions to New Zealand in 2029.

After taking over at Ireland from Joe Schmidt in 2019, Andy Farrell guided them through steady growth before achieving major success. His early years brought third-place Six Nations finishes in 2020 and 2021, but things soon accelerated. In 2022, Ireland claimed a historic Test series win in New Zealand—beating the All Blacks twice and briefly rising to world number one. Farrell’s side then delivered a Grand Slam in 2023, marking Ireland’s first clean sweep since 2018.

Though the World Cup ended in a narrow quarterfinal loss to New Zealand, Farrell’s leadership earned him the 2023 World Rugby Coach of the Year award and a contract until 2027. Ireland captured another Six Nations title in 2024 before Farrell stepped aside temporarily to lead the British & Irish Lions. His Lions record is strong—assistant coach on two previous tours and head coach for the 2025 Australia series, which his team won 2–1.