Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will head to South Africa to join the Lions after summer Test matches against Japan and USA.
Farrell had been pencilled in to take charge of the defence under Warren Gatland but pulled out to commit himself to his country’s tour to Fiji.
However, with that tour called off, it’s now being reported that he will join up with the Lions following matched against Japan on July 3 and USA on July 10.
The shortened plans could pave the way for Farrell to link-up with the Lions in South Africa, according to The Irish Times.
After naming Gregor Townsend, Steve Tandy, Robin McBryde and Neil Jenkins as his assistants in April, Gatland addressed the specific possibility of Farrell joining the tour at a later date and said: “Yeah it’s possible, it’s why we’ve left one of the spots open.
“Whoever it is, do we feel like we need someone else to come in, is it at the start of the tour, during the tour, before the Test matches take place?
“I haven’t been specific about a role but it’s something I want to have the possibility of being able to do if we feel there’s a need for it.”
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Lions Standby XV
Wales Online, using their sources and multiple reports in the media have selected the ‘next cabs off the ranks’ for each position.
BACK-THREE:
- Fullback: Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- Winger: Jonny May (England)
- Winger: Jack Nowell (England)
CENTRES:
- Outside-centre: Jonathan Davies (Wales)
- Inside-centre: Manu Tuilagi (England)
