One of the biggest questions surrounding Andy Farrell's appointment as Lions head coach is how it will impact his duties with Ireland.
Farrell is the first Ireland head coach to take charge of the Lions since Noel Murphy on the 1980 tour to South Africa, so this marks something of an unknown for the IRFU.
The pinnacle of Farrell's time as Ireland's head coach was last year's Grand Slam success, but 2023 is likely to be remembered in the long run for the "what if?" questions posed by Ireland's failure to progress past the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Farrell is signed on to coach Ireland through the next World Cup cycle - and Irish legend Donal Lenihan thinks that his appointment as Lions head coach will serve Ireland well in their push to go further in the 2027 tournament.
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Donal Lenihan has unusual theory as to why Andy Farrell's Lions job will help Ireland
19 November 2022; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Though Andy Farrell's reign as Ireland coach has brought great success in the Six Nations, the defeat to New Zealand in the last eight of last year's World Cup is likely to linger in the minds of Irish fans for some time.
The hope will be that Ireland can finally break their quarter-final curse at the 2027 tournament in Australia - but Farrell's appointment as Lions head coach is an unexpected spanner in the works.
Farrell will be missing for next year's Six Nations, at the middle point of this World Cup cycle, as he pivots into his responsibilities as Lions coach. Despite Farrell's scheduled absence, former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan believes that the head coach's appointment with the Lions will benefit Ireland in their push for 2027 World Cup glory:
I actually think it's a positive for Ireland. When you think about it, you have a hugely experienced coaching group that will be together for another two years. He only stands back from the Ireland setup in December of this year so in effect that's next season's Six Nations Championship.
I think it'll benefit Ireland on two fronts. Number one, he'll get to know the players from the other countries intimately. Secondly, the next World Cup is in Australia...having been out there two years in advance of that, managing a group like the Lions will only benefit Ireland as well.
Speaking at his unveiling as Lions coach on Thursday afternoon, Andy Farrell was adamant that he would not allow his role as Lions coach to hinder his work with Ireland - or vice versa.
How the IRFU will handle Farrell's absence will be fascinating to see, with Simon Easterby rumoured to be stepping into the head coach role on an interim basis for next year's Six Nations.
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