The British and Irish Lions have named Andy Farrell as head coach for their 2025 tour of Australia, it was announced on Thursday.
The Ireland head coach led the national team to a Grand Slam in 2023 and to the quarterfinals of last year's men's Rugby World Cup. Farrell will coach Ireland through to December 2024, but will then take a sabbatical during the 2025 Six Nations to focus solely on the Lions.
Farrell will now spearhead the Lions' series next year where they'll play three Tests against Australia as part of a 10-match tour including a game against Argentina in Dublin before they travel to Australia.
He was chosen as head coach by a panel including Lions CEO Ben Calveley, Lions chairperson Ieuan Evans, and ex-Lions players Brian O'Driscoll, Sir Ian McGeechan and Nigel Redman.
"It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to be named head coach of the British & Irish Lions. I know how special Lions Tours are having been involved in the 2013 and 2017 Tours, so I am delighted to get the chance to lead the team in 2025," Farrell said in a statement.
"There is a wealth of talent across Britain and Ireland, and I am looking forward to building a team that can deliver the ultimate goal of success in Australia. I also want to thank the Irish Rugby Football Union for their support in allowing me to accept this prestigious opportunity.
"The British & Irish Lions fan base is really special, uniting supporters from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and beyond. Mobilising that sea of red by creating a team that our fans can connect with and be proud of will be a key priority for me and will be crucial to our success."
Farrell toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 as assistant coach to Warren Gatland.
Gatland oversaw the last three Lions tours as head coach but ruled himself out of contention ahead of next year's series. That run saw the Lions win the 2013 series against Australia 2-1, draw in 2017 against the All Blacks 1-1 and then fall to a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in 2021.
Farrell was the clear favourite to take over the reins from Gatland. The 48-year-old, who is contracted to Ireland through to 2027, was unveiled in London on Thursday and will soon switch focus to Ireland's Six Nations campaign.
"Andy is without question one of the best coaches in the world and knows what it takes to win a Series in Australia given his involvement in the Series win in 2013," Lions CEO Calveley said.
"His achievements with Ireland in recent years have been exceptional and his coaching experience at test-match level with Ireland, England and The British & Irish Lions make him an outstanding candidate for this role.
"Andy is an excellent appointment for us and one which we believe will excite players and fans alike. It is clear to see that Andy has built a very strong connection between the Irish team and its fans and we are relishing a similarly strong connection being created with Lions fans in 2025.
"We firmly believe his appointment puts us in a great position to achieve success on the field and I'm looking forward to working alongside him as we build towards the Tour."
Evans added: "We know the challenge we face in Australia won't be easy and to have someone of his stature with the Lions puts us in a great position to replicate the success we enjoyed in 2013."
The news means Ireland will need to look for an interim head coach for their 2025 Six Nations campaign with Simon Easterby or Paul O'Connell front-runners for that role. But the news of Farrell's appointment is testament to the work he's done with Ireland since taking over from Joe Schmidt in December 2019.
Kevin Potts, CEO at the Irish Rugby Football Union, said: "Being named head coach of The British & Irish Lions is a huge honour and the IRFU are absolutely delighted for Andy Farrell and his family with this recognition."
"What Andy has accomplished with our men's national team has been exceptional. His leadership, passion and drive for the game will be a huge asset to The British & Irish Lions and we are looking forward to supporting him as he takes on this challenge."