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British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland on Wednesday named a trio of assistants – Rob Howley, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree – for next year’s tour to Australia.
England forwards specialist Rowntree and backs coach Howley of Wales were part of the 2009 Lions coaching team in South Africa. England’s ex-rugby league star Farrell will tour with the Lions for the first time.
There is no place, at present, for Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards.
Howley worked as Wales’ interim head coach for their opening autumn Tests against Argentina and Samoa last month, and he will resume that job for this season’s Six Nations tournament while Wales chief Gatland concentrates on the Lions.
Howley (1997 and 2001) and Rowntree (2005) both toured with the Lions as players.
Gatland said: “I am delighted with today’s appointments and confident that Rob, Graham, Andy and myself can come together quickly to face one of the hardest rugby challenges.
“Lions tours are unique as we have to mould together players from four countries in an incredibly short space of time.
“We have no illusion as to the hard work required but we have spoken of the challenges and truly believe that as a coaching team we can provide the players with the support and environment needed for victory in Australia.”
The Lions 2013 tour begins against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1, with the first of three Tests against Australia taking place in Brisbane on June 22.
The Lions have not won a Test series since they toured South Africa in 1997.
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