Former Australia international David Nucifora will join the British and Irish Lions as general manager of performance ahead of this year's tour of Australia.
Nucifora has been seconded from Scottish Rugby while Aled Walters, from the Irish Rugby Football Union, will be the head of athletic performance.
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Completing the trio of recruits for the 10-fixture tour is Ireland's Vinny Hammond, who will travel down under as head of analysis.
Nucifora is Australian, won two caps in the early 1990s and worked closely with current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt when they were both employed by the IRFU, while Walters helped South Africa win the 2019 World Cup.
“Having watched the Lions tour Australia over the years, and then playing against them for a Queensland XV in 1989, never did I expect that one day I would be part of their team – but it is funny how sport works," Nucifora said.
“I look forward to drawing on my experiences with Ireland and Scotland in supporting Andy as he goes about building a truly world-class backroom team and squad.”
"In David, Aled and Vinny we have three of the absolute best joining us for the tour to Australia this summer, culminating in the highly anticipated Test series against the Wallabies," Farrell added.
"David's unrivalled experience will help us shape and deliver such a challenging and exciting rugby program, whilst also bringing essential insight into Australian rugby and the country as a whole.
"Aled is a World Cup winner who has worked with players across England and Ireland and has also coached in Australia and Super Rugby with the Brumbies.
"And Vinny's Lions pedigree from touring New Zealand and South Africa brings continuity and Lions experience, which will be crucial to success down under."
“It is my pleasure to welcome David, Aled and Vinny to the Lions," Lions CEO Ben Calveley said.
“The excitement for this year’s Tour to Australia is really starting to build across both hemispheres and as Andy shapes his backroom team that will only intensify.
“These roles would also not be possible without the support of our colleagues at Scottish Rugby and the IRFU who have helped facilitate these appointments.”
