FORMER Ireland star Tommy Bowe has questioned Andy Farrell’s decision to step away for Ireland duty ahead of the 2025 Lions Tour of Australia.
Former Ireland and Ulster winger Tommy Bowe has questioned Andy Farrell’s decision to step aside from his national team duties during this year’s Six Nations.
Farrell was forced to step away as he is preparing to lead the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia.
He took a back seat throughout the championship, leaving defence coach Simon Easterby to serve as interim head coach.
His absence has sparked criticism in some quarters — with Bowe among those expressing concern over the move.
Speaking on The Offload podcast, Bowe said he couldn’t understand why Farrell had to step away from a live Test window to prepare for what is ultimately a six-week summer series.
“If Ireland were potentially to win that Six Nations — and I’m not saying they definitely would have with Andy Farrell there — but I definitely think there would have been a difference.
“That’s €5 million potentially left on the table just so the head coach can go off, scout around, see the teams, and plot what he’s going to do for the Lions tour.”
Bowe insisted that he’s a hug fan of both Farrell and the Lions, but he didn’t see why Ireland’s Six Nations campaign had to be sacrificed.
The former Ulster winger added: “I’m an absolutely massive fan of the Lions, but I do not get why the head coach has to step away from the Six Nations so that he can coach a six-week tour in the summer.”
His podcast co-host and former Ireland teammate Donncha O’Callaghan defended Farrell’s decision, insisting the Lions must remain one of rugby’s top honours.
Bowe, however, challenged the former Munster locks word by questioning the precedent set by Warren Gatland during his time with Wales.
He concluded: “Who decides this? – Ian McGeechan was the coach before Gatland and he didn’t coach a national team. We’re only doing what Gatland did.
“He [Farrell] would’ve been watching all the games anyway. The Lions is a huge tour, a huge opportunity, but at the same time it’s three Tests and, what, six warm-up matches?”
Farrell is expected to name his Lions squad in early May with a host as many as eight Irish players to form the spine of the Lions’ starting XV.
The 2025 Lions tour will begin with a match against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in June, before the team departs for Australia where they will play nine fixtures.
The series concluded with three Tests against a Wallabies side now coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.
