1 minute read
Former Lions captain Warburton backs Farrell to coach 2025 tour
from Wednesday 25 January 2023
by cityam
MATT HARDY
FORMER Wales
The Welshman has played under Farrell on previous Lions tours, which in recent years have been coached by returning Wales boss Warren Gatland.
“I think Andy would be great. He would likely be the frontrunner,” Warburton, speaking on behalf of Sage, said. “Whether he wants to or not I don't know, but he would be a phenomenal Lions coach.
“We respected him that much. He would have been amazing to play with. He understands the Lions concept.
“We would have team meetings on a Tuesday, walk out and the boys would look at each other and be like ‘I’m ready to go now’.
“He would get you to an emotional level that not many coaches can get you to. Anything he is asking you to do, he would do himself one hundred times over.
“He’s a really good guy, that goes a long way. He’s an outstanding candidate.” this year. He also presided over a failed attempt to take over the running of fast-growing racquet sport padel last year.
German Tennis Association chief Dietloff von Arnim, who is set to stand against Haggerty in September, said last week: “There are so many questions for all associations worldwide that we are not being answered at the moment.”
The ITF said it couldn’t comment on speculation around the Billie Jean King Cup talks but defended its record on governance and transparency.
“The ITF operates on behalf of its 213 national members and is governed by an ITF Board of Directors. When making any decision in its remit, the Board has regard to stakeholder views, as well as internal and external professional analysis,” said a spokesperson.
“We have well-established routes of consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including national and regional associations, ITF Committees and Commissions formed of a Board member and relevant experts, the professional tours and players, as necessary according to the topic.
“The ITF is committed to transparency as part of good governance and publishes its financial statements and annual reports online.”
