Andy Farrell opened the door to leading the Lions against New Zealand in 2029 despite the disappointing end to this tour of Australia.
Farrell’s first tour in charge saw the Lions lose the final Test and miss out on a clean sweep but the 50-year-old insisted he will fly home full of pride.
He is favourite to lead the team again in four years, with senior players ready to throw their support behind him when the review begins.
‘Everyone knows what I think about this concept,’ said Farrell, when asked if he wants to lead the next tour. ‘I love everything that the Lions is about and I’ve thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks.
‘There’s always ups and downs but the inner circle is a special place to be. Read into that what you want but I suppose four years, there’s a long time between drinks, isn’t there?’
The Lions were outmuscled in the final Test in Sydney, which was interrupted by a lightning storm that resulted in a 40-minute delay in the second half.
Andy Farrell is the favourite to be in charge of the Lions on their tour of New Zealand in 2029
The Lions were unable to secure a historic series sweep vs Australia after Saturday’s defeat
Farrell’s Lions side would have been the first since 1927 to secure a 3-0 Test series sweep
His team were outsmarted in the wet conditions and Farrell said: ‘There is going to be frustration there. We wanted to win every game but the best team won on the night.
‘I said to the lads it might take one, it might take two beers but they will be unbelievably proud of what they achieved throughout this tour.
‘We all know how hard it is to be successful on a Lions tour against a good side like Australia, and they are a good side, they proved that over the series so, when we get a bit of time to ourselves, we will be unbelievably proud of what we have achieved.
‘The legacy for us is in that changing room, the togetherness, not just of the players. The whole group has been an absolute delight to work with.
‘We have played some outstanding rugby and that has accumulated into a performance last week that was an unbelievably special moment that will stay with us for ever.’
