Farrell lines up Nucifora and Walters for Lions ticket

Andy Farrell is piecing together his British and Irish Lions party

IRFU performance director David Nucifora, left, and head coach Andy Farrell in 2022. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell is set to appoint David Nucifora and Aled Walters to his management team for the British and Irish Lions' tour to Australia.

Nucifora, the current Scotland and former Ireland performance director, and Ireland's head of athletic performance Walters have been lined-up for roles on this summer's visit Down Under, the PA news agency reports.

The highly-rated Walters was expected to be involved in the 10-fixture itinerary that opens against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 having stepped down from his post with England last year to join Farrell's Ireland backroom staff.

But Nucifora's impending appointment by the Lions comes as a surprise, even given his close five-year working relationship with Farrell when he was responsible for performance in Irish rugby from 2014-24.

The Australian has intricate knowledge of Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt from when the Kiwi was in charge of Ireland until 2019 and has also coached Down Under.

Nucifora's duties on tour are expected to centre around responsibility for performance staff.

Meanwhile, Bill Sweeney is determined to continue as Rugby Football Union chief executive until the 2027 World Cup and will only step down if the board demands his departure.

March 27 has been set as the date for the special general meeting that will see Sweeney face calls for his removal from rebel clubs angered by the bonus and pay scandal that has gripped Twickenham.

Sweeney declined to apologise for the long-term incentive plan (LTIP) that has resulted in him being paid a bonus of £358,000 on top of an increased salary of £742,000 for the last financial year.

Further bonuses totalling almost £1million were paid to five other executives despite the RFU reporting a record operating loss of £37.9m and making 27 staff redundant.

Chairman Tom Ilube has already resigned in response to the crisis - Bill Beaumont has taken over on an interim basis - but Sweeney defended his record in a role he has held since 2019.

"I'm certainly committed to go through to the end of this cycle, which is the end of 2027. I've never thought about stepping down," said Sweeney, who has not previously set an end date for his exit.

"This might sound strange and I don't welcome an SGM, but it does bring the opportunity to get a lot of things out on to the table that perhaps haven't been on there before.

"I look at all of the initiatives that we're putting into the game, how they've come about and my own personal influence...I think there's unfinished business here and I'm the right person to see it through. That's why I haven't considered stepping down.

"The easiest thing to do right now would be to walk away. Given the challenges, the easiest option would be to say 'I've had enough.' I don't feel anywhere near that. I still feel I have genuine value to add.