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Warren Gatland has backed Andy Farrell to succeed him as British and Irish Lions head coach after ruling himself out of the job for the 2025 tour.
Wales head coach Gatland was in charge of the Lions for the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours.
The New Zealander says he would like to see Farrell take the role for the tour to Australia because of the “fantastic job” he has done with Ireland.
Farrell was part of Gatland’s backroom team for the 2013 and 2017 tours.
“A few weeks ago, I was asked by Nigel Walker, Wales’ director of rugby, if I was interested in putting my name forward to be head coach for the next tour in Australia in 2025,” Gatland wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.
“It did not take long to get back to him.
“I told him I was not going to put my name forward. I told Nigel that I would have no problem if any of my support staff were to be asked to be involved as I would see it as a great experience for them.
“But I think it is the opportunity now for someone else to be head coach and Andy Farrell would have my backing for the job.
“You cannot deny what Ireland has achieved as a nation over the last few years and you are starting to see the fruition of the alignment between the Irish provinces and the union. There is no doubt that Andy has done a fantastic job.”
Under Gatland, the Lions won the 2013 tour to Australia, drew in New Zealand in 2017, and lost 2-1 to South Africa in 2021.
Gatland, who previously backed Farrell as a future Lions head coach last year, is currently in his second spell with Wales, leading them to the World Cup quarter-finals earlier this month.
Farrell’s star has been on the rise since taking over as Ireland head coach in 2019, leading them to a historic Test series win in New Zealand and the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year.
While the 48-year-old was unable to guide Ireland past the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, he was named World Rugby coach of the year on Sunday.
Although Gatland has decided not to continue as Lions head coach, he offered to pass on his “knowledge and experience” to his successor.
“If the next head coach wants to tap into my experiences from the last four tours, then I would still love to be involved in some way by passing on the knowledge and experience I have gained in trying to create harmony within a group of players from different backgrounds,” wrote the 60-year-old.
“For the Lions, it is the least I can do.”
The Lions start the 2025 tour with a match against Western Force in Perth on 28 June and face Australia in the series opener at Lang Park in Brisbane on 19 July, with further Tests in Melbourne on 26 July and Sydney on 2 August.
