LIONS BOSS ANDY Farrell has confirmed the appointments of Ireland coaching staff members Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond to his touring set-up for the Lions, while former IRFU performance director David Nucifora also joins Farrell’s group.
Nucifora, who spent a decade in charge of Irish rugby and worked closely with Farrell during that time, comes on board as the Lions’ general manager of performance for the tour of his native Australia this summer.
Walters, who joined the Irish coaching staff from England last year, will be the Lions’ head of athletic performance.
Hammond, who also works closely with Farrell in Ireland, has been appointed as the Lions’ head of analysis for what is his third Lions tour.
“In David, Aled and Vinny we have three of the absolute best joining us for the Tour to Australia this summer, culminating in the highly anticipated Test series against the Wallabies,” said Farrell, who was accompanied by Nucifora, Hammond, and Walters on a recce to Australia this month as they viewed the host cities, stadiums and training venues.
“David’s unrivalled experience will help us shape and deliver such a challenging and exciting rugby programme, whilst also bringing essential insight into Australian rugby and the country as a whole.
“Aled is a World Cup winner who has worked with players across England and Ireland and has also coached in Australia and Super Rugby with the Brumbies.
“And Vinny’s Lions pedigree from touring New Zealand and South Africa brings continuity and Lions experience, which will be crucial to success down under.”
Former Wallabies hooker Nucifora is also currently contracted to Scottish Rugby as their performance director but he has already started supporting the Lions and will be with Farrell and co. for the duration of the Australia tour.
Walters and Hammond will start working with the Lions after the upcoming Six Nations.
Nice junket
More like the British and Leinster Lions! (Joke)
@J M: Beirne and Aki are both nailed on to be included. Stop complaining that your team’s players aren’t being picked for Ireland/ Lions and start complaining to your team that they’re not performing well enough.
@JohnDoe: I support leinster lol so no complaints from me
@JohnDoe: Sensitive or what? The OP clearly said it was a joke, so no need to escalate that to a complaint.
@Conor Kelly: JohnDoe is just a regurgitation of previous troll account JimDoe. Mute.
What on earth is Nucifora’s role in a Lions’ tour? His expertise is supposed to be developing Player Development Pathways, that deliver long term success over a period of years.
@John Lyons: great use of the word supposed. A++++
@John Lyons: His role is director of having a blast at somebody’s else’s expense.
Does that mean that Walters won’t be with Ireland this Six Nations? He only just started.
@Neil “Montyman65” Montgomery: it’s in literally the last line of the article.
Could he take Goodman with him and we might get our attack and strike plays back on track.
Nucifora looks to be in “jolly” mode already – the old cut-off denim shorts and disheveled look…..
The Lions thing is a pure joke. It is just a junket dressed up. Meaningless these days. Farrell should not be indulging in this BS but he is. Long term impact not great. If me, I would not have given Farrell the hiatus. You are our manager or you are not.
@JJB: also this rubbish about climbing Everest to defeat SA needs to be called out. The pick of the 4N should be favorites against anybody. This “romanticism” and siege mentality is really a throwback to the empire and needs to discontinued – pure bull.