Andy Farrell says British & Irish Lions sealed ‘legacy in changing room' despite missing out on whitewash series in Australia
Updated 02/08/2025 at 19:01 GMT+1
Togetherness has been a key quality and theme in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions side in Australia, and the head coach said that the squad's legacy "is in the changing room" rather than on the pitch after wrapping up the series in Sydney. The Lions missed out on a historic 3-0 whitewash as a reinvigorated Wallabies side prevailed 22-12 in the third and final Test.
Farrell: Lions should be ‘unbelievably proud’ of series win despite defeat in third Test
Video credit: SNTV
British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell said that his squad's legacy in Australia will be the togetherness fostered between players and staff.
The Lions missed out on the chance to sweep the Wallabies as they lost the third Test 22-12 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Despite that, the Lions prevailed 2-1 in the series after an incredible second Test in Melbourne last weekend.
Unity and togetherness has been a theme frequently echoed by this year's squad, who are already planning a reunion 12 years from now.
"The togetherness, it's been an absolute delight. We've played some outstanding rugby and that's accumulated into a performance that last week ended up being a moment that'll stay with us forever."
- Wallabies celebrate consolation victory as Lions take 2-1 series win
- 'Put him straight in the team' - Warburton calls for Rees-Zammit's immediate Wales
The Lions were targeting a historic 3-0 sweep, and would have been the first touring side to go undefeated since 1974.
After a 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin, Farrell's side went on an eight-game winning streak in Australia and all the talk in the week was of the Lions whitewashing Joe Schmidt's side.
"The best team won on the night," Farrell added. "It might take one or it might take two beers but they'll be unbelievably proud of what they've achieved on this tour. On reflection we can be unbelievably proud.
"The training and application this week has been really good, but the game just got away from us in the end. These lads have been playing for so many months, perhaps it was one game too many.
"It’s been the time of our lives. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s the truth.
"We got to create a special memory together. I’m unbelievably proud to be associated with this group.
"This has been a long time in the planning - the best eight weeks of our lives.
"Lions Tours are tough, and to do what we did last week and put the series in the bag, upon reflection after tonight, I’m sure we’ll be super proud of the achievement."
While last weekend's second Test had a contentious end with Jac Morgan's clearout on Carlos Tizzano, the third Test had its own bizarre moment as play was temporarily suspended due to a lightning strike 10km away from the stadium.
As per World Rugby's guidance on delays due to lightning, a pause of at least 30 minutes must be held, and the players returned 30 minutes later to resume play.
"We weren't sure of the rules," the Lions head coach said on the delay.
"At one stage it looked like 45 minutes, then 30 minutes, we stayed relaxed enough and knew we had to get the show back on the road.
"But off the back of that Australia hit the ground running."
'I NEEDED TO STEP UP' - BEIRNE
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/07/20/image-da8e7256-9919-4257-94d2-3a3d04213d61-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Tadhg Beirne
Image credit: Getty Images
Tadhg Beirne, who was one of three Lions captains on the night, earned himself the Player of the Series award for commanding performances across the series.
His selection, particularly starting the opening Test, was questioned on social media but the Munster forward admitted that it only motivated him further.
"It’s hard to ignore when people are tagging you on social media and saying you don’t deserve it and it’s right in front of your face. I used it as motivation," said Beirne.
"I was unsure whether I’d be selected, so when I saw my name it felt like an opportunity - and I needed to step up.
"Of course, the medal is special and the series win was special too. We celebrated that last week. It’s tough to ignore this result, because the goal was to win again.
"Credit to Australia: they came out strong, handled the conditions well, and unfortunately we couldn’t get the job done. But we still won the series, and that’s what matters most."
'COULDN'T BE PROUDER' - SCHMIDT
With the second and third Test in the books, it is clear that the Wallabies got the better of the Lions as the series grew.
A revitalised Australian side were utterly dominant in the third and final Test and were deserved winners in Sydney, and head coach Joe Schmidt praised his side's resilience to come back and win the third Test.
"They earned whatever they got tonight," Schmidt said of his side. "I couldn't be any prouder of the way the players rebounded. The feeling of disappointment they had was deep. You had to let that run its course and let them springboard back."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/02/image-133cc4b2-d13f-4952-a5a7-5d59c67fe20e-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘Delighted we got one back’ – Schmidt takes positives after Australia deny Lions whitewash
Video credit: SNTV
A complete misfire in the first Test was succeeded by a dominant opening 40 minutes in the second match, only for the Lions to roar back and clinch the series in Melbourne.
Schmidt leaves the Wallabies at the end of the Rugby Championship, with Les Kiss taking charge of their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign which they will host.
He added: "We can't get those points back, we can only play the points that are in front of us. I'm not gonna look back at maybes.
"We lost the first half of the series, I feel like we won the second half. I feel like we've grown into the series."
- - -
Stream the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement