- Andy Farrell is finalising plans for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia
- The Ireland head coach has named five assistants for the Lions’ tour Down Under
Andy Farrell has announced his coaching team for this summer’s Lions tour of Australia, featuring staff from Ireland, England and Scotland.
John Dalziel (Scotland), Simon Easterby (Ireland), John Fogarty (Ireland), Andrew Goodman (Ireland) and Richard Wigglesworth (England) were all unveiled at an event on Tuesday.
Wigglesworth revealed he only received the phone call from Farrell last Monday, when he was playing with his daughter in the garden after England’s victory over Wales.
This is a special day for The British & Irish Lions and our five new assistant coaches who came together yesterday for the very first time,’ said Farrell.
‘Putting together a Lions coaching team is an honour and a privilege – and the five phone calls made to this group of coaches reminds you just how special and unique it is.
‘This coaching group has versatility and are interchangeable in their skillset, which is a vital asset to have on a Lions Tour.
Andy Farrell (centre) has named his assistants for the Lions tour of Australia this summer
From left-right; Richard Wigglesworth (England), Andrew Goodman (Ireland) John Fogarty (Ireland), Simon Easterby (Ireland) and John Dalziel (Scotland) will make up Farrell’s assistants
‘I think we have a fantastic mix and every one of these guys will bring their own character and personality to the team.
‘A Lions Tour is all about understanding the demands that we will face on and off the pitch and a fresh perspective amongst this coaching group is something that I am really excited by.
‘We now have a month and a half to come together and select players ahead of an historic squad announcement at The O2 in front of our Lions fans.’
The precise roles of Farrell’s assistant coaches are yet to be confirmed.
They will announce their playing squad in May and Farrell revealed: ‘We bounced around a wider squad yesterday and came up with about 75 names. There’s going to be a hell of a lot of good players that don’t make it.’