Warren Gatland confirms Rob Howley, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell as Lions coaches
WARREN GATLAND will take Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley to New Zealand next summer as his three British and Irish Lions coaches.
Lions coach Warren Gatland faces a tall order if he is to win in New Zealand
In Rob Howley and Andy Farrell we have guys who understand the Lions concept, have worked together and know how to coach a winning Lions team
Gatland led Wales to two Six Nations Grand Slams before masterminding a 2-1 series victory on the Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
The New Zealander also worked as an assistant on the 2009 tour and is now hoping to lead the first successful Lions tour of his home country in 45 years.
In Farrell (Ireland), Borthwick (England) and Howley (Wales) he has picked coaches who will spend time working the vast majority of the squad during the 2017 Six Nations, after which the full squad announcement will be made in April.
Andy Farrell worked with England under Stuart Lancaster but is now part of the Ireland set-up
"I am excited about this coaching team," Gatland said.
"I said from the outset it was important to have continuity because we need to hit the ground running, given the limited preparation time.
"In Rob and Andy we have guys who understand the Lions concept, have worked together and know how to coach a winning Lions team.
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“It’s also important to have some new input.
"Steve has done a great job in shaping the England pack and played a major role in their recent run of success, so I'm looking forward to working with him.”
Borthwick never tour with the Lions as a player and has only recently been appointed to the top tier of international coaching.
Rob Howley is a familiar lieutenant of Warren Gatland's
The former England captain worked under Eddie Jones in the Japan set-up before following him to Twickenham almost exactly a year ago.
The ex-Bath and Saracens second row's Lions involvement was inadvertently mentioned by Jones during a press conference last week but Gatland has now confirmed that he will be the forwards coach.
Neil Jenkins has been mooted as a potential kicking coach for the tour
Gatland has not named any additional coaches beyond the initial trio despite speculation that Wales legend Neil Jenkins could join him as kicking coach.
"We may look to bring in a specialist coach but, fundamentally, this is the core coaching team we believe can help a talented group of players win a Test series in New Zealand," he added.