Farrell will reunite with a familiar face
British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has appointed former Ireland high-performance director David Nucifora to his backroom team for the summer tour to Australia.
Nucifora was in his role with Ireland from 2014 until 2024 – working with current Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt until 2019 – and oversaw a period of unprecedented success for the Irish men’s rugby team.
However, he received criticism for his treatment of the women’s team, with many fans also blaming him for the wide gap which has grown between Leinster and the other three provinces.
The Daily Mail have reported that he will be Farrell’s right-hand man, helping him ensure that all areas of the tour are run to the highest of standards.
Farrell is currently on sabbatical from Ireland while he takes charge of the representative side comprising players from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.
Aussie Nucifora – who is currently in an advisory role with Scotland – played for the Wallabies and lifted the 1991 World Cup with his country, and also coached the Brumbies in the early 2000s.
His hiring is a serious coup for the Lions, given his intimate knowledge of both sides.
S&C coach Aled Walters has also joined the backroom team.
The Welshman won the World Cup while working with South Africa in 2019, before joining England, ahead of a shock move to Ireland back in August.
The three men were members of a scouting party to Australia this month to assess training locations and accommodation.
