Andy Farrell lines up key off-field duo for British and Irish Lions tour

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 understands.

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.