Warren Gatland backs Andy Farrell to lead British and Irish Lions for 2025 Australia tour - 'Opportunity for someone'

Warren Gatland has ruled himself out of leading the British and Irish Lions on a fourth successive tour, instead backing Ireland coach Andy Farrell for the 2025 series in Australia.

Gatland was the Lions head coach in 2013 in Australia, 2017 in New Zealand, and 2021 in South Africa, overseeing a win, draw and loss, respectively.

The New Zealander returned for a second stint as the Wales head coach in December 2022 when his successor Wayne Pivac was sacked, and writing in his Telegraph Sport column, said it was time for someone else to take on one of the most sought-after roles in rugby.

"A few weeks ago, I was asked by Nigel Walker, Wales’ director of rugby, if I was interested in putting my name forward to be head coach for the next tour in Australia in 2025," Gatland wrote.

"It did not take long to get back to him. I told him I was not going to put my name forward. I told Nigel that I would have no problem if any of my support staff were to be asked to be involved as I would see it as a great experience for them.

"But I think it is the opportunity now for someone else to be head coach and Andy Farrell would have my backing for the job."

Farrell, who was recently named World Rugby Coach of the Year, took over as the Ireland head coach from Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup. Under the 48-year-old's guidance, Ireland became the world's top-ranked side and won a first ever series in New Zealand in 2022, as well as a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.

Ireland were tipped by many to win the World Cup this year but were edged out 28-24 by the All Blacks in an epic quarter-final encounter.

Farrell was part of the Lions coaching team in 2013 and 2017 and Gatland thinks he has all the attributes to excel in the top job.

"You cannot deny what Ireland have achieved as a nation over the last few years and you are starting to see the fruition of the alignment between the Irish provinces and the union," Gatland added.

"There is no doubt that Andy has done a fantastic job.

"Even though Ireland lost their quarter-final to New Zealand, it was an epic match and it could have gone either way, and that is sport. Everyone always just looks at results rather than what teams have achieved and the progress they have made.

"Andy has got really good man-management skills, has huge experience in the game as a professional from a young age in rugby league and I have a huge amount of respect for him as a person and as a coach."

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