IRISH RUGBY COACH DROPS A SHOCKING MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO TEAMS/FANS.....

Ireland rugby coach Andy Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in 2025, more than a decade after his impassioned speech inspired the invitational team to complete a series victory over the Wallabies in the “hurt arena.”

Farrell was confirmed Thursday as the successor to Warren Gatland, getting the top job after serving as an assistant to the New Zealander on the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours to Australia and New Zealand, respectively.

The 48-year-old Englishman will begin his role in December, from which point he will focus purely on the Lions. As a result, he will not lead Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations.

Farrell has been in charge of the Irish for four years, guiding the team to the top of the world ranking, a Grand Slam in the Six Nations and a historic test series victory in New Zealand.

He has developed into one of the world’s most shrewd rugby coaches, saying he has “grown up” from the person who was in the formative years in coaching when he gave that speech — before the third test against Australia, with the series locked at 1-1 — for which he has become known.

“On D,” he said, referring to defense, “we cannot allow our emotional energy to dip whatsoever. You know why? Because there is no tomorrow. There is no tomorrow. We are taking them boys to the hurt arena this weekend.”

The Lions went on to blow away the Australians in a 41-16 win.

Asked Thursday if he’d be reprising that role, Farrell laughed and said “I’m probably not as dramatic. There won’t be any film-star roles from myself. Just being myself and making sure the team comes first.”

Farrell said being chosen to lead the Lions “means the world to me.”

“To be thought of as a candidate for the head coach’s role is pretty special. To be chosen is pretty magical,” he said at a news conference in central London.

“Being on a couple of Lions tours already gives me the feeling of what it is all about. And for those of us who have been lucky to be involved before or for those of us who have been lucky enough to go on Lions tours as a supporter or support the Lions, and for what they stand for, at home, we all know the special place this is, for me to be chosen as the head coach. It’s beyond words, to be honest.”

Gatland has coached the Lions for the past three tours, most recently in 2021 when South Africa won 2-1, after which he said he wouldn’t be returning in the role.

As it stands, Farrell’s Ireland would be providing the largest number of players to a Lions squad that faces a 10-match trip, culminating in a three-test series against the Wallabies.

Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said Farrell’s appointment “will excite players and fans alike.”

“It is clear to see that Andy has built a very strong connection between the Irish team and its fans and we are relishing a similarly strong connection being created with Lions fans in 2025,” Calveley said.