Farrell joins Lions coaching staff

Andy Farrell, Steve Borthwick and Rob Howley have been named as assistants to British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland for next year's tour of New Zealand.

Gatland has kept faith with Farrell and Howley after the 2013 series win over Australia, while Borthwick has impressed since being appointed as England’s forwards coach.

Farrell was a member of the England backroom team when he was appointed as one of Gatland's assistants for the 2013 tour Down Under, but the 41-year-old has since taken over as Ireland's defence coach.

Howley, Wales' interim coach, has been confirmed as the attack coach for the tour, which will be his third after his involvement in the 2009 series in South Africa.

"I am excited about this coaching team," said Gatland. "I said from the outset it was important to have continuity because we need to hit the ground running, given the limited preparation time. In Rob and Andy, we have guys who understand the Lions concept, have worked together and know how to coach a winning Lions team.

"It's also important to have some new input. Steve has done a great job in shaping the England pack and played a major role in their recent run of success, so I am looking forward to working with him.

"We may look to bring in a specialist coach but, fundamentally, this is the core coaching team we believe can help a talented group of players win a Test series in New Zealand."

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt had ruled himself out of joining the British and Irish Lions coaching staff but tipped Farrell to be included and Ireland's defence coach is relishing the tour to New Zealand.

"The Lions is a unique experience for players and coaches. To bring together the best players from four countries and go to the home of the World Champions to take them on in their own backyard - that's pretty special.

"As a group we are going to be tested across the board against the number one ranked team in the world. The challenge for us will be to get on the same page as quickly as possible, appreciate fully the danger they pose and find solutions to their attacking threats."

He went on: "It’s a fantastic honour and privilege. I’m super excited, it’s a big challenge ahead and can’t wait to get going. You look at the autumn series, Scotland had a fantastic win against Argentina, Wales had their most successful time since 2002 and England are going great guns at the moment so northern hemisphere rugby is in a great place.

"We’re going to have a headache after the Six Nations because a lot of top players are going to be disappointed they are not going on the tour."

Howley played for the Lions in 1997 and 2001 before joining the coaching staff for 2009 and 2013 and he is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing the tourists next summer.

“The British & Irish Lions is at the pinnacle of international rugby. We have a responsibility to uphold its tradition and heritage, and build on the success of the 2013 Tour," he explained.

“This will be my fifth Tour with the Lions but my first to New Zealand. We are under no illusions what to expect on the field but, with the inspirational travelling support from all four Home Nations behind us, I believe it will be a memorable six weeks.

“It is a huge achievement to be selected and I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working alongside the coaches and players from the other nations.

“As a coach, the experiences in 2009 and 2013 were hugely rewarding and I’d like to thank the WRU for once again supporting the role and understanding the benefits we can take forward from this opportunity.”

Borthwick, meanwhile, has spoken of his delight at getting the not to join Gatland's coaching staff.

“It’s a huge honour to be involved. There have been some fantastic Lions forwards coaches in the past - Jim Telfer, Andy Robinson, Warren himself, Graham Rowntree - and it's a real privilege to be chosen. It’s a brilliant challenge and one I'm really looking forward to," he said.

“We’ve seen some fantastic results from the Home Nations in the recent autumn series and some brilliant performances by the players. That all bodes well for the Lions."

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