Warren Gatland has claimed Ireland manager Andy Farrell is the standout candidate for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025.
Warren Gatland has been the Lions manager for the past three previous tours in 201, 2017 and 2021. After success in Australia, the Wales boss guided them to a drawn series in New Zealand, before a heart breaking defeat in South Africa.
Now that Gatland has returned as Wales manager following the sacking of Wayne Pivac, it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see him guide the team for a fourth tour.
However, speaking earlier today, Gatland views Andy Farrell as the standout candidate for the 2025 trip to Australia.
If you are picking a Lions coach at the moment, there is only one person that I think is in contention, and he is across the water and living in Dublin at the minute. If you are successful, those opportunities come along.
I hadn't even thought about that [Lions tour]. I am just thinking about the next 10 months. I am well aware of how important the Six Nations and World Cup are next year.
I don't plan my pathway. I am a believer of if you are in the right place at the right time, then opportunities come along. What will be, will be."
For Warren Gatland, he needs to repeat the success in his previous reign as Wales manager. During a 12 year spell, Gatland won three Grand slams, four Six Nations titles and two World Cup semi-finals.
However, with Welsh rugby in crisis mode just six weeks out from the start of the Six Nations, Warren Gatland has been brought in to steady a sinking ship.
The challenge is doing that in the coming weeks so that players are excited about wearing that jersey and leaving everything on the pitch in terms of getting performances and results.
One of the reasons when I spoke to Steve [Phillips, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive] was remembering the good times of being here, in front of 75,000 people.
There is a lot of pressure and expectation, but that motivates you and gets you excited"
Warren Gatland Tips Farrell For Lions
As of now, Andy Farrell is the standout candidate to lead the British and Irish Lions in 2025, particularly with the uncertainty in English and Welsh rugby at the moment.
Under Andy Farrell, Ireland have gone from strength to strength, which was shown in a fantastic 2022.
After winning a triple crown in the Six Nations, Ireland secured a first ever series victory in New Zealand. This then followed a successful November series, with wins over South Africa, Fiji and Australia.
With the World Cup just nine months away, Ireland are in a great position to compete for rugby's biggest prize, despite a tough group that contains world champions South Africa.
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