Jason Robinson backs former teammate Andy Farrell for British & Irish Lions success

By Joe Harvey

Jason Robinson believes former Wigan Warriors teammate Andy Farrell is the perfect choice as British & Irish Lions head coach.

Farrell and Rugby World Cup winner Robinson played 242 games together for The Cherry and Whites before both finding their way to rugby union.

Farrell will take charge of the Lions for the men's 2025 Tour to Australia after impressive success with Ireland, leading the side to the top of the World Rugby rankings, a Test series win over New Zealand and consecutive Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles.

The reigning World Rugby Coach of the Year, Farrell was appointed as head coach in January, with Robinson fully backing his former teammate to have success Down Under.

“I knew from young age that he was going to go on and do amazing things,” Robinson said.

“I think what we didn’t realise was that was going to be in a different code. To see him progress the way he has is brilliant.

“He is one of those players that has got great knowledge and a great understanding of the game. He is a great leader in so many different ways. You can tell he loves it.

“He is driven by it and the Irish players have certainly reacted to him being there and it has made a difference to them. He is definitely the right man for the job.

“We have seen that from over the years with Ireland and winning a Test series in New Zealand, who does that?

“He can’t wait for it and we can’t wait for it. It will be interesting to see how it goes.”

Robinson was speaking at Howden’s Big Rugby Day out at Oxford University Rugby Club, where the two-time Lions coached a number of players from Lions Origins Clubs.

There are 711 Lions Origins Clubs that have helped to produce 855 British & Irish Lions players, with each community club set to receive a plaque to commemorate their role as part of new principal partner Howden's focus on grassroots rugby.

Howden ambassador Robinson handed out plaques to seven Origin Clubs as well as getting hands on with coaching the next generation of rugby player and hailed the vital role grassroots plays in the creation of the next generation of Lions players.

He added: "Community is so important because without it we don’t have a game, it’s simple. We need to build the players up, we need to inspire them, we need to get them playing at the highest possible level. There are so many people within the clubs who do so much work.

"The international game is based on grassroots. The more we can do to support clubs the better, which is where Howden’s investment in the game is massive. It’s not just the top level, it’s the grassroots.

"We know all the benefits that rugby has to offer kids, especially being in a team. The more we can do it; the more we can inspire, hopefully the stronger the game can be.

"It’s the amateur clubs that have worked so hard over the years to build these players into what they have become. Howden have seen that and are recognising that by providing a plaque to commemorate the role clubs have played in that journey."

As part of their partnership with The British & Irish Lions, Howden will be supporting the grassroots game