- Andy Farrell is the top contender to become the next Lions head coach
- It was announced on Thursday that he will extend his contract with Ireland
- There were some doubts about whether he could coach the Lions
Andy Farrell has been given the green light to be appointed head coach of the British & Irish Lions for the first time in Australia in 2025 after signing a new contract for Ireland.
Farrell is the leading contender to take charge of the famous cross-border team for their next tour in two years' time, although there were doubts over whether he would be released by Ireland to do so.
But on Thursday, Ireland performance director David Nucifora said he would be happy for the former England assistant to take on the role if the Lions wanted it.
“We would be ecstatic if Andy is named coach of the Lions, so hopefully that award is next for him and we would be more than comfortable with the way we handle it,” Nucifora said. '
“As for the length of time he'll be away from us, I think that's still something that can be discussed if this happens.
Andy Farrell has been given the green light to be appointed as the next head coach of the British & Irish Lions
It comes as the Ireland boss has signed a contract extension to remain as Ireland head coach until 2027
Farrell is being backed to take over from Lions boss Warren Gatland after touring with the team as assistant coach in 2013 and 2017
“We looked at the way we did that and now that Andy is locked up, we have the opportunity to start working on the other guys (his assistants).”
Farrell was assistant coach at the Lions under Warren Gatland for the 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand respectively.
But he was banned from working with Gatland in South Africa in 2021 after taking on the role of Ireland head coach.
Since taking charge of the men in green in 2019, Farrell has masterminded a Six Nations grand slam, a triple crown, a series win in New Zealand and taken Ireland to No. 1 in the World Rugby rankings.
Farrell will now take charge of Ireland until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup
He has signed a two-year contract extension and will remain Ireland's head coach until the end of the 2027 World Cup. Farrell could not take his team further than the quarter-finals of the World Cup this year.
And while the fact remains that no Irish team has ever made it past the last eight stages of a global showpiece, that should not detract from the good work Farrell has done.
“Coaching Ireland has been a hugely enjoyable experience and I am proud to be expanding my partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union,” he said.
“It's a pleasure to work with such a talented and dedicated group of players and as we enter a new cycle it will be exciting to see more players come through the system.”