
The high-performance guru, the doctor and the photographers – meet the 18 staff with Irish links working for the Lions
These are the greenest Lions that have ever toured, and it's goes far deeper than the 16 players Andy Farrell has included in his squad.
The coach has been working in Ireland since 2016 and perhaps unsurprisingly, he's leaned heavily on people he trusts when putting together his backroom team and support staff, meaning there are four assistant coaches and 13 members of the support staff who either work for the IRFU, have recently worked for the IRFU, or are Irish.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Kevin McStay relieved of duties as Mayo senior football manager
The 42 KEVIN McSTAY HAS been relieved of his duties as manager of the Mayo senior footballers. A meeting of the county board took place at MacHale Park this evening where it was decided to end his tenure along with the rest of the management team. 'A decision was made to relieve Kevin McStay and his management team from their roles with the Mayo Senior Football Team with immediate effect,' the statement began. Advertisement 'We would like to sincerely thank Kevin and his management team for their time, effort, and commitment to the Mayo Senior Football Team during their tenure. Their dedication to the players and the jersey has been greatly appreciated by all involved with Mayo GAA. 'We wish Kevin and his management team every success in the future, both on and off the field. An update regarding the future management of the Senior Football Team will be provided in due course. More to follow.. Written by David Sneyd and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .

The 42
4 hours ago
- The 42
Injury rules Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell out of opening USA friendly
DENISE O'SULLIVAN AND Megan Campbell will both have their respective injuries assessed to determine whether they can play any part in the Republic of Ireland's friendly double header with the USA in Colorado. Both players are definitely ruled out of the opening game with the USA in the early hours of Friday morning (2am Irish time) but could return for Sunday's fixture against the team ranked number one in world. Advertisement O'Sullivan picked up a knee injury on club duty last weekend while Campbell is nursing an ankle issue from training. There'll be no Denise O'Sullivan or Megan Campbell for the Republic of Ireland against the USA on Friday morning (2am, live on @RTEplayer ), but boss Carla Ward tells @Corktod she expects others to embrace the challenge against Emma Hayes' world No 1-ranked team #RTEsoccer — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 25, 2025 Ireland boss Carla Ward is already missing captain Katie McCabe for the trip Stateside as the Arsenal star was afforded more time off after winning the Champions League with the English club. Aoife Mannion and Heather Payne have also not travelled as the pair search for new clubs following their release from Manchester United and Everton, respectively. The second friendly with the USA is on Sunday at 8pm Irish time.


RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan 'so lucky' to work with 'best ever' Emma Byrne
Courtney Brosnan has said she is feeling extremely proud ahead of winning a 50th cap for the Republic of Ireland this week, with the moment set to be extra special when it takes place against her birth country the USA. The 29-year-old made her debut five years ago and has become a mainstay for the Girls in Green. Born in New Jersey but of Irish descent, there was interest from both countries when it came to her future in international football. Playing for USA at Under-23 level may have offered an indication of who would win. However, it was the close ties to the Irish side of her heritage that helped sway Brosnan's decision. "Deep down I kind of always knew, and my family knew, that it was always going to be Ireland for me," she told RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue ahead of Friday's game (2:07am kick-off). "I think just how special it is for my grandparents and for my Dad and for my family that I play for Ireland." Working under goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne, she feels that is particularly poignant, recognising the stature and impact of those that have come before her. "It's a really proud moment for me and for my family. To be among the group of players who have reached 50, with some absolute legends of the team, current and past, I think it's really special to be named amongst them. "I feel so lucky to be able to work with Emma and to learn from her every day in camp. "You get to learn from the best goalkeeper to ever play for the team, so I think that's really special for me to have someone that has been in my shoes and knows exactly what it takes in these games. "When I think back to watching her as a kid and seeing her for the national team and for Arsenal, her presence was unbelievable. "She's one of, if not the best, shot stopper that I've ever seen. "Her presence is something that I really try to implement into my game as well." The highlight of her time in the green shirt has been saving Caroline Weir's penalty in the play-off with Scotland that led to qualification for the World Cup. That tournament also brought huge highs, but it has not been smooth sailing since. Carla Ward is in the dugout now and attempting to steer Ireland back to the World Cup in 2028. End-of-season friendlies are normally not something to get overly excited by. The players will watch on with envy as the European Championships begin next month. But the milestone and the chance to come up against the outstanding team in the game is something to relish, according to the Everton goalkeeper. It also provides the opportunity for her family to be present on two big occasions, starting with Denver in the early hours of Friday morning before moving on to Cincinatti on Sunday. "I think we're in a unique position right now with these friendlies. "It's a great opportunity for us to continue to build with the squad that we have and push to where we want to be. It's a great to challenge ourselves against the best team. "We know the threats that they possess going forward and how good they are defensively. "It's really special for me. There's nothing I love more than playing for Ireland. Something that is hard for me is a lot of my family live in the States. "It's difficult for them because, if they could, they would come out to literally every single game I play. "That is obviously not possible with the flights, the work schedule and the price. "With the games a little bit closer to them, it's easier for my family to get out and to support me. I feel really grateful that they can be here."