ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Dec 7, 2016

Warren Gatland confirms British & Irish Lions coaching team for New Zealand tour

Rob Howley, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell were today announced as part of Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions coaching team that will take on the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2017. The Lions will play ten fixtures in total, and three Tests.

The management team will be announced in early January, and the trio of coaches will work with their respective countries for the Six Nations, before joining the Lions ahead of the squad announcement on April 19.

“I am excited about this coaching team. I said from the outset it was important to have continuity because we need to hit the ground running, given the limited preparation time,” said Gatland. 

“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’m 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.”

Farrell, now with Ireland, was also defensive coach on the 2013 Lions tour of Australia.

“The Lions is a unique experience for players and coaches,” he said.

“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.”

Howley, a player in 1997 and 2001 and coach in 2009 and 2013, added: “I’m delighted and honoured to be selected as part of the coaching team for the 2017 Tour. 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.

“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.”

The Lions will play three Tests against New Zealand in June and July, aiming to improve on the 3-0 whitewash they were on the wrong end of in 2005.

2017 British and Irish Lions tour fixtures

    3 June – Provincial union team (Toll Stadium, Whangarei)
    7 June – Blues (Eden Park, Auckland)
    10 June – Crusaders (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)
    13 June – Highlanders (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)
    17 June – Maori (International Stadium, Rotorua)
    20 June – Chiefs (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)
    24 June – New Zealand (First Test, Eden Park, Auckland)
    27 June – Hurricanes (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
    1 July – New Zealand (Second Test, Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
    8 July – New Zealand (Third Test, Eden Park, Auckland)

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 545 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll's incredible skill at training...

  • 559 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of Amazing Lions Test series in Australia,...

  • 559 WEEKS AGO

    Timelapse of third Test as Lions beat the...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All