B&I Lions head coach Andy Farrell has appointed the first members of his staff for the tour to Australia - Aled Walters, David Nucifora and Vinny Hammond.
Aled Walters, David Nucifora and Vinny Hammond will all join the team ahead of the series, with the trio recently accompanying Farrell on a recce of Australia this month.
Fitness coach Walters, who helped turned the Springboks into world beaters at the 2019 World Cup before taking up positions with the likes of England and Ireland, is appointed Head of Athletic Performance.
“The Lions is the absolute pinnacle and my earliest memory of them was watching the 1989 Australia Tour as an eight-year-old and celebrating Ieuan Evans’ try in the Third Test,” Walters said.
“It is true that there is no greater honor than being selected for a Lions tour and I cannot wait to work with the very best players and coaches as we take on the Wallabies and tour Australia.”
Former Wallaby Nucifora, who was part of their 1991 World Cup-winning squad, joins as General Manager, Performance from Scottish Rugby, where he held a similar position.
Speaking on joining the coaching staff, he said: “Having watched the Lions tour Australia over the years, and then playing against them for a Queensland XV in 1989, never did I expect that one day I would be part of their team – but it is funny how sport works.
“I look forward to drawing on my experiences with Ireland and Scotland in supporting Andy as he goes about building a truly world-class backroom team and squad.”
Hammond is returning for his third Lions tour this summer, and will hold the position of Head of Analysis.
“The Lions has an incredibly special place in my heart, having toured New Zealand in 2017 and then South Africa in 2021,” he said on his appointment for a third tour.
“Being part of the Lions is the ultimate honor and it was a real privilege to be asked by Andy to lead the analysis team for 2025. Our focus now is on doing everything we can to win a Test Series.”
Walters and Hammond will join up with the Lions at the conclusion of the Six Nations in March.
Commenting on his first coaching additions, Farrell said: “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.
“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.”
Farrell will also finalize the rest of his coaching ticket at the end of the upcoming Championship, which gets underway on Friday (31st January).
