Chief executive Ben Calveley has backed Andy Farrell as head coach of the British and Irish Lions for their 2029 tour of New Zealand.
Farrell led the Lions to their first series win since 2013, losing 22-12 to the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday, their only defeat of a nine-game tour of Australia.
Despite their triumph being cut short at the final stage, the 50-year-old Ireland coach oversaw a successful tour that was marked by results, team cohesion, dedication to rugby and a last-second display of character that saw them win the second Test match.
Preparations for 2029 have already begun, with Calveley ensuring the structure and number of games will be similar to the just-completed schedule, although the final midweek match will be closely monitored for potential disruption to Test preparations.
Farrell is the leading candidate for the job and Calveley suggests he could be the most lucrative post in British and Irish rugby at the moment.
“Andy did an incredible job and I really enjoyed working with him,” Calveley said.
“I immediately thought back to when I first met him to offer him the job. It was immediately obvious that we had made the right choice in appointing Andy.
Since he started working full-time in December, he has been fully focused on his role, which has ultimately led to success on the pitch. We will now give him some time to rest.
In terms of appointments for future tours, we'll start that process in about two years, and I don't think it's appropriate to comment on how that ends. But he's certainly solidified his position, so to speak.
Australia entered the series ranked eighth in the world and its reputation as a regular host for the Lions was under threat ahead of the opening match at Suncorp Stadium.
Their defeat in Brisbane was a poor start but they came within 51 seconds of levelling the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before securing a comfortable victory on Saturday.
The Lions won the series 68-67 overall.
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