Portugal Colonial - Easterby and Wigglesworth get Lions coaching roles for Australia tour

Easterby, 49, was Ireland's interim head coach during the recent Six Nations while Farrell was seconded to Lions duty and presided over a run of four wins and one defeat as the champions for the previous two seasons finished in third place.

Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth, 41, succeeded current England head coach Steve Borthwick as Leicester boss in 2022.

He then joined Borthwick's England staff the following year and became senior assistant coach in October 2024.

Under Wigglesworth's guidance, England scored 25 tries in this season's Six Nations as they finished runners-up to France.

Farrell has also recruited scrum coach John Fogarty and backs coach Andrew Goodman from the Ireland set-up, with Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel also included in the backroom staff.

Wednesday's appointments follow previously announced Lions roles for other coaching positions including former Ireland performance director David Nucifora, who now holds a similar role with Scotland.

Farrell, a former England international, will announce the playing squad for Australia on May 8, with the Lions facing Argentina in Dublin on June 20.

The combined side then fly to Perth ahead of a June 28 clash against Western Force.

A three-match series against Australia -- coached by Farrell's former boss and predecessor as Ireland coach Joe Schmidt -- begins in Brisbane on July 19, followed by further Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

X.M.Francisco--PC