**Welsh Contingent Expands as British & Irish Lions Assemble for Australia Tour**
The British and Irish Lions squad, set to embark on their eagerly anticipated tour of Australia this summer, has come together for the first time, and the gathering has brought news of increased Welsh representation within the backroom staff. Despite the small number of Welsh players selected, the administrative and support team travelling Down Under will see three new Welsh faces join the travelling party.
The Lions, under the leadership of head coach Andy Farrell, named their 38-man squad earlier this month. Preparations for their clash against the Wallabies—which is scheduled to culminate in three Test matches—are already underway, with a warm-up fixture against Argentina opening proceedings on 20 June. The squad assembled in south-west London on Sunday for a two-day induction, marked by kit distribution, essential administration, and initial team bonding ahead of a demanding summer schedule.
Of special note is the notably diminished Welsh representation among the players themselves. Only two—Jac Morgan, the Wales captain, and scrum-half Tomos Williams, currently at Gloucester—have been picked for the tour. This is the smallest Welsh presence on a Lions tour for almost ninety years, reflecting the current landscape of British and Irish rugby where Irish and English players have come to dominate selection, with 15 and 13 athletes respectively, and eight Scots also making the final cut.
Morgan arrived at the team gathering directly from South Africa after completing club duties for the Ospreys, completing the squad’s line-up late on Sunday evening. The squad is preparing not only for the rigours of travel and fierce competition but also for an opportunity to build a cohesive unit from players used to viewing each other as rivals.
Supporting Farrell—including during training and behind-the-scenes analysis—will be a coaching team that mirrors the strong Irish influence in the player squad. Assistant coaches Simon Easterby, John Fogarty, and Johnny Sexton, as well as performance analyst Vinny Hammond and backs coach Andrew Goodman, will be key to the Lions’ attempts to conquer Australia. Aled Walters, native of Carmarthen, stands as the only Welsh coach involved, overseeing athletic performance, while John Danziel and Richard Wigglesworth represent Scotland and England on the coaching panel.
Yet, in a development sure to hearten Welsh fans, three additional Welsh professionals have been confirmed as part of the Lions’ touring staff. Analyst Rhodri Bown, experienced team doctor Geoff Davies, and physiotherapist John Miles will accompany the squad, ensuring that Wales maintains a substantial, if subtle, presence during the tour.
All three have extensive experience at both club and national levels, with Bown, for instance, boasting over two decades working within Welsh Rugby Union and having been involved in the past five Lions tours. Dr Davies has held the senior doctor role with Wales since 2012, adding further international pedigree, and John Miles brings a wealth of expertise from roles with Cardiff, the Scarlets, Harlequins, and previous work at the Commonwealth Games.
Their inclusion echoes the approach of former Lions head coach Warren Gatland, who, during the last tour, similarly drew heavily on Welsh expertise, highlighting the value the Principality’s rugby professionals bring to the highest levels of the sport.
When announcing his staff for the tour earlier in the year, Farrell emphasised the flexibility and far-reaching skills of the assembled group. “This coaching team is extremely adaptable and complementary—a crucial asset on a long and challenging Lions tour,” he commented in March. “Each member brings unique qualities, both in terms of expertise and personality, which will be vital for our collective success.”
As the Lions set their sights on Australia, the combination of fresh talent, experienced leadership, and seasoned support staff offers optimism that the squad can overcome historical challenges on Australian soil. With the tour rapidly approaching, all eyes will soon turn to how this blend of players and staff can deliver on one of rugby’s greatest stages, and whether the underrepresented Welsh contingent can punch above its weight both on and off the pitch.