Johnny Sexton is reportedly set to join the Ireland coaching staff for their July 2025 internationals, marking the former skipper and playmaker's first official role behind the scenes after observing from the coaches' box during the recent Six Nations. The announcement of his position is part of broader preparations as British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell builds his backroom team.
According to Planet Rugby, Sexton's potential inclusion reflects Farrell's intention to engage heavily with Irish coaching expertise as the Lions gear up for their tour to Australia. While Sexton had earlier been linked with the attack coach role for the Lions, Andrew Goodman is now expected to take charge of the attacking formation instead.
Another figure from the Ireland setup, Simon Easterby, initially seen as the leading candidate to guide Ireland through their July fixtures against Georgia and Portugal, is likely to accompany the Lions on their upcoming tour. The precise role of Easterby is not yet confirmed, but he is expected to join Farrell's team, which will also include Ireland’s scrum coach John Fogarty, Aled Walters focusing on athletic performance, general manager David Nucifora, and Vinny Hammond handling analysis.
Farrell's commitment to fielding a predominantly Irish backroom staff signals his strategy for the Lions as they prepare for what promises to be a challenging engagement with Australia. Certainly, after the Six Nations, Farrell faces decisions on how to blend his squad, riddled with questions following the championship.
Despite the previous success enjoyed by the Lions, recent performances indicate the necessity of tactical adjustments, especially against formidable opponents like the Wallabies. Insights from the Six Nations reveal fluctuated forms among several contenders, interviewing writers from The Times to discuss potential member selections for the Lions.'s squad.
Leading rugby scriber Alex Lowe champions Maro Itoje as the prospective captain for the Lions on this tour, highlighting Itoje’s growing persona and leadership within international rugby. Given his experience, can he guide the Lions to another successful tour? Lowe's proposed squad is packed with talent from all participating nations, encapsulating the essence of British and Irish rugby.
From England's Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter from Ireland to Scotland's Pierre Schoeman, Lowe emphasizes his strategic picks across the front line and back row positions. He also notes, “This Lions team blends heavy-duty but dextrous midfield with a dynamic forward pack,” underlining the mixture of power and agility available.
Another Times writer, Owen Slot, also endorses Itoje for captaincy whilst sharing insights about squad depth and the mix of experience and youth, particularly with players like Finn Russell and Bundee Aki asserting their places. Slot argues the value of Ben Earl's versatility on the bench to maintain high intensity during matches, indicating the need for stamina against Australia's renowned fitness.
Concerns have arisen as well over the absence of significant figures from the squad, including Marcus Smith, due to his declining performance this post Six Nations season. “Ford is preferable because of his historical ability to function effectively under pressure,” believes Slot, highlighting the pronounced pressure of international duties.
The potential absence of key player Sione Tuipulotu adds to worries over the midfield’s cohesiveness and overall dynamics. The commentary surrounding potential selection and injury concerns is indicative of the high stakes faced by Farrell and his staff, as they gear up for what fans anticipate will be another thrilling series.
Farrell is set to announce the official training squad for the Lions tour on March 26, 2025. This announcement will come after considerable reflection on team dynamics, especially with insights recently gleaned from the Six Nations. The Lions, after all, must be more than the sum of their parts.
Looking backward, Shaun Edwards, the former head of defence for the Lions and recent Six Nations-winning coach for France, played pivotal roles helping to re-establish the backline’s defensive cog. Ever-adaptive, as viewed from past six nations campaigns, his dynamic system has transformed the team's approach, delivering considerable returns through resilience.
“A tactically agile squad can lead us to victory against the Wallabies,” articulates Edwards’s approach, emphasizing the necessity for coherence and adaptability within both forward and back units. Coaching strategies will intensely focus on maintaining defensive integrity and delivering multipronged attacks, so elaborately noted by the likes of Slot and Lowe.
With the heavy focus on squad selections and preparatory practices, all eyes remain on the upcoming weeks. The outcomes from the training camps and tactical discussions will align the players and coaches moving forward, making sure they are not just individuals aiming for victory, but rather contributors to the higher purpose of creating a storied legacy.
This year’s Lions Tour isn’t just another competitive rugby event; it's about reinforcing the bonds across the United Kingdom and Ireland through sport, and it sets out to uphold the greatest traditions of the game. The hopes of fans, nations, and players alike stand alongside Farrell as he builds toward what will be one of the most grueling and beautiful chapters of rugby ever played.
