Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend favourites to replace Lions boss Warren Gatland

A series defeat in South Africa may spell the end of Warren Gatland’s tenure in charge of the British and Irish Lions, who are set to slumber for four years before touring Australia in 2025.

Former Wales and Ireland chief Gatland fell agonisingly short in his bid to become the first Lions coach to go unbeaten in each of the Tri Nations, and questions now turn to whom might fare better.

And the bookmakers’ early odds suggest a return to European leadership could be on the horizon after Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend opened at near-identical odds among the leaders.

Ireland head coach Farrell just about ekes an advantage at 5/2 with SkyBet, but Scotland counterpart Townsend follows closely behind at 11/4 having just toured South Africa.

The latter travelled this summer as attack coach in Gatland’s inner circle, but Farrell brings extensive Lions experience of his own having orchestrated the squad’s defence in 2013 and again in 2017.

Farrell—father of England captain and three-time tourist Owen—might have rejoined Gatland again were it not for his commitments with Ireland, his first posting as a head coach.

Speaking of contenders for the Lions gig boasting less experience, 7/2 dark horse Ronan O’Gara is another who has burst onto the scene in recent years and is displaying extraordinary promise.

The Munster and Ireland legend was a shrewd tactician during his 16-year career as one of the world’s top fly-halves, which has carried over into his days calling shots from the touchline.

O’Gara, 44, signed a three-year contract extension at La Rochelle after taking the club to a runner-up finish in this year’s European Rugby Champions Cup.

Clearly content in France for the time being, that agreement may reach its natural conclusion just in time for the former No. 10 to take charge of a certain touring team in time for the 2025 trip to Australia.

The odds lengthen to 15/2 for another tactician with Irish ties, Joe Schmidt, who is the lowest-priced betting option not currently employed in any official coaching capacity.

The Lions have never appointed two different non-British coaches for successive tours, but New Zealander Schmidt, 55, could break that mould with a sensational return at their helm.

The 2018 Coach of the Year took up a role as World Rugby’s director of rugby and high performance in October 2020, but it’s unclear how those commitments might interfere with him assuming a new, partisan position.

Having hired Gatland out of the Wales camp, the Lions could alternatively look to mimic that move by taking the nation’s incumbent chief, Wayne Pivac, from the same position.

Another Kiwi contender, 8/1 shot Pivac started off slow as Welsh boss but united the team to clinch the 2021 Six Nations crown (and almost a Grand Slam were it not for defeat to France).

England ran to a fifth-place finish in the same championship—their worst result since 1987—so it’s little wonder their coach, Eddie Jones, is behind Pivac at 10/1 odds for the British and Irish job.

The Lions have never been coached by an Australian to date, and while it would add inevitable spice facing his birth nation, Jones may be deemed too divisive to lead a unified expedition.

Saracens director Mark McCall and 2001 Lions chief Sir Graham Henry follow up as 12/1 outsiders to lead the team in four years, though each come with complications of their own.

Henry, 75, already lost a series in Australia two decades ago and will be approaching 80 when the next tour arrives.

McCall, on the other hand, will have worked exclusively with Sarries for more than 15 years by the time his contract ends in 2025, calling into question whether he’s been tested enough for the Lions candidacy.

Dai Young has only just completed a fairytale return to Cardiff after almost a decade with Wasps, and he’s already being linked with the Lions as a 16/1 underdog.

A certain Welsh wild card means the best is saved for last, however, with 2021 tour captain Alun Wyn Jones a shock selection to be at the helm in four years as a 20/1 entry.

The most capped rugby player of all time (148 for Wales and 12 for the Lions) hasn’t got a coaching credential to his name, but players would undoubtedly charge into the breach for him.

Next Lions coach odds

Andy Farrell – 5/2

Gregor Townsend – 11/4

Ronan O’Gara – 7/2

Joe Schmidt – 15/2

Wayne Pivac – 8/1

Eddie Jones – 10/1

Graham Henry – 12/1

Mark McCall – 12/1

Dai Young – 16/1

Alun Wyn Jones – 20/1

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