Farrell In 'really Good Place' To Lead Lions Again

Andy Farrell has put himself successful a beardown position to return complaint of nan British and Irish Lions successful New Zealand successful 2029, according to Lions bosses.

Farrell coached nan Lions to a 2-1 bid triumph complete Australia, winning nan first 2 Tests but missing retired connected a whitewash aft being overwhelmed 22-12 by nan Wallabies successful Sydney connected Saturday.

Chief executive Ben Calveley says Farrell's beardown way grounds pinch nan Lions will beryllium a facet erstwhile they travel to take their adjacent caput coach, for nan bid against nan All Blacks successful 4 years' time.

"He's put himself successful a really bully place," Calveley told BBC Sport.

"You would ever return someone's way grounds into relationship and nan truth that Andy has been successful, not conscionable present but he's undefeated erstwhile you look astatine nan 2 erstwhile occasions he's been connected nan Lions circuit arsenic portion of nan coaching summons [in 2013 and 2017 arsenic an assistant].

"But we'll tally a thorough a robust process and we'll spot location wherever that takes us."

Farrell was non-committal erstwhile asked astir nan imaginable of taking complaint again successful 2029, but said his affinity pinch nan conception runs deep.

"I emotion everything nan Lions is astir and I person thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed nan past 8 weeks," he said pursuing nan series.

"Four years is simply a agelong clip betwixt drinks."

The Englishman is owed to return to his domiciled arsenic caput coach of Ireland for their autumn Test matches aft taking a sabbatical from nan station to lead nan Lions.

The 50-year-old has a statement pinch Ireland until nan extremity of nan 2027 Rugby World Cup successful Australia.

Meanwhile, Calveley says location are nary plans to move distant from nan accepted touring destinations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

However, he admitted nan Lions could look world teams specified arsenic Japan aliases Fiji earlier nan Test bid successful bid to bolster nan circuit matches, which were mostly underwhelming successful Australia.

"We are not looking to make immoderate changes [to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand] astatine nan moment," Calveley said.

"I deliberation nan measurement that we could build relationships pinch caller countries is done nan different parts of nan tour.

"So we look astatine it successful 3 ways: nan pre-tour portion - nan Argentina crippled successful Dublin - nan circuit matches, and nan Test matches themselves.

"What we could proceed to do is play against caller and absorbing opponents successful that pre-tour piece.

"You mightiness beryllium capable to do immoderate of that connected circuit arsenic well, truthful tin you bring successful a Japan aliases a Fiji for illustration for immoderate of those non-Test matches. And past you time off nan Test bid alone.

"So we are looking for caller and absorbing ways to configure nan schedule. We'll person a look astatine galore different options."