Andy Farrell will use Ireland‘s 2022 victorious tour of New Zealand as the template to guide the British & Irish Lions to glory down under in 2025.
Farrell’s Irish team became the fifth overseas side to win a series away against the All Blacks with their stunning come-from-behind 2-1 win. That trip also included two midweek games against the Māori All Blacks which helped harden the side and bond the tour party.
The Lions will play against five Super Rugby franchises and an ANZAC side, plus Argentina in a pre-tour game in Dublin as well as three Tests against Australia. And Farrell, who was finally unveiled last week as head coach of the Lions when they head to Australia next summer, will use the experiences of 18 months ago in New Zealand.
“Yes that, and other experiences, good and bad that have been similar to that type of tour,” he said. “We took that tour on and made it the tour it was to test people because it would make us stronger as a group and it 100 per cent did. Not just after the tour but during the tour. It is such a long, tough, taxing tour and the pressure that is going to come along the way is going to make you stronger as a group.”
Ireland lost the first Test of that series but rallied to win the last two, but Farrell insists the Lions can hit the ground running.
The Premiership have moved the date of their final to give the head coach more time with the squad ahead of departure and Farrell reckons they will be firing for the Wallabies in the opener in Brisbane on July 19. But if the worst did come to the worst Farrell is confident the Lions can bounce back.
Farrell added: “There is no excuses not to be ready for that first Test but that is not to say you can’t pick yourself up off the floor, if you can’t you are the wrong type of character anyway. In its purest form, a three-match Test series is extra special because you often see a team that gets up for the first Test there is confidence and momentum that goes with that, but the side that has lost are fighting for their lives and you see that they can deal with that type of pressure.
“That is what ultimately it is all about and the type of personnel we have got has to be able to flourish in that environment. And then you see whoever wins the second Test, you see whether they have the minerals to take it to the type of performance when it really matters.”
Farrell’s son Owen, below, who is taking a break from international rugby, currently plays for Saracens but has been heavily linked with a switch to French side Racing 92.
“There is no rule as far as the Lions are concerned, so everyone is available for selection if form warrants that,” Farrell said. “Ultimately it has to be right for the team. The team comes first and that’s all that matters.”
The Lions and Rugby Australia are partners in the tour and part of the contract says the Australian Super Rugby sides will be fielding Wallabies in the pre-Test games. On past tours the Lions have been hampered by thrashing weak opposition in build-up matches but the tourists are confident that will not happen this time.
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