The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament. While it is, ultimately, the competition prize that players will be vying for,

Andy Farrell has started to put in place his backroom staff for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia with the appointments of David Nucifora, Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond.

The Six Nations is right around the corner, but it has even bigger implications this year with the British and Irish Lions tour on the horizon this summer.

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has officially appointed the first members of his backroom staff ahead of the tour to Australia.

The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament.

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, the team said on Tuesday.

LIONS BOSS ANDY Farrell has confirmed the appointments of Ireland coaching staff members Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond to his touring set-up for the Lions, while former IRFU performance director David Nucifora will also joins Farrell’s group.