Nucifora and Walters confirmed as part of Farrell's Lions appointments

David Nucifora joins on a consultancy basis while Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond will link up after the Guinness Six Nations.

APPOINTMENTS: (L-R) British & Irish Lions Coaching staff Aled Walters, David Nucifora, Andy Farrell and Vinny Hammond. Picture: ©INPHO/British Irish Lions/Karen Watson

The British and Irish Lions have confirmed the appointment of David Nucifora, Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond to head coach, Andy Farrell's backroom team for the upcoming tour in Australia.

Nucifora, the former IRFU High Performance Director and current Scottish Rugby Performance Director, will join the tour as General Manager, Performance which is a similar role to what he currently holds with Scotland.

Nucifora joins on a consultancy basis and will be with the squad for the duration of the tour and will be supporting the Lions in their preparations. Speaking on his new role Nucifora said: “Having watched the Lions tour Australia over the years, and then playing against them for a Queensland XV in 1989, never did I expect that one day I would be part of their team – but it is funny how sport works.

“I look forward to drawing on my experiences with Ireland and Scotland in supporting Andy as he goes about building a truly world-class backroom team and squad.”

World Cup winner Aled Walters will join from the IRFU and has been appointed as Head of Athletic Performance. The former strength and conditioning coach for Munster recently returned to Ireland with the IRFU following a spell with England and he worked in 2019 with the World Cup winners South Africa.

Performance Staff Appointed ✍️

Head Coach Andy Farrell has appointed three key members of his backroom staff for the #Lions2025 Tour 🦁

A big welcome to Aled Walters, David Nucifora, and Vinny Hammond 🤝

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 28, 2025

“The Lions is the absolute pinnacle and my earliest memory of them was watching the 1989 Australia Tour as an eight-year-old and celebrating Ieuan Evans’ try in the Third Test," said Welshman Walters.

“It is true that there is no greater honour than being selected for a Lions tour and I cannot wait to work with the very best players and coaches as we take on the Wallabies and tour Australia.”

Two-time Lions analyst Vinny Hammond, also IRFU, will return for his third Tour as Head of Analysis. A veteran on Lions Tours Hammond is delighted to return to the Tour which holds a 'special place' in his heart. 

“The Lions has an incredibly special place in my heart, having toured New Zealand in 2017 and then South Africa in 2021.

“Being part of the Lions is the ultimate honour and it was a real privilege to be asked by Andy to lead the analysis team for 2025. Our focus now is on doing everything we can to win a Test Series.”

Both Hammond and Walters will start working with the Lions once the 2025 Guinness Six Nations is completed. The trio joined Farrell on a recent recce to Australia this month where they toured the host cities and stadiums. 

With just five months to go until the Tour kicks off in Australia on June 28 against Western Force, Farrell is all hands on deck getting preparations underway. 

The Lions will play a pre-tour Test against Argentina in the Aviva Stadium on June 20.

Farrell is delighted with the trio joining up with the Tour. “In David, Aled and Vinny we have three of the absolute best joining us for the Tour to Australia this summer, culminating in the highly anticipated Test series against the Wallabies.

“David’s unrivalled experience will help us shape and deliver such a challenging and exciting rugby programme, whilst also bringing essential insight into Australian rugby and the country as a whole.

“Aled is a World Cup winner who has worked with players across England and Ireland and has also coached in Australia and Super Rugby with the Brumbies.

“And Vinny’s Lions pedigree from touring New Zealand and South Africa brings continuity and Lions experience, which will be crucial to success down under.”