Lions stars will crawl through mud for Andy Farrell, not the corporate bigwigs... Ireland's Mr Motivator should set the bar sky-high for his four-country team against a beatable Australia

Andy Farrell was unveiled as the new British and Irish Lions head coachThe Ireland boss will be at the helm for next year's tour against AustraliaFarrell will be plotting total dominance after his success with Ireland 

When Andy Farrell was unveiled last week as the next head coach of the Lions, the momentous occasion didn’t take place at an iconic rugby location, it was staged at the office of an insurance company in London.

Of course, sponsorships are crucial for such an expensive under-taking to the far side of the world. As they will have their name on the famous red shirts, Howden – who were welcoming hosts – are no doubt committing a substantial sum to the project, so they expect some exposure in return and that is absolutely fair enough. But this column won’t be alone in wishing that the 2025 Lions doesn’t become an overtly corporate enterprise, rather than a sporting one.

It has been an acute issue in the professional era, when the British and Irish touring team has served as a vehicle for prolific commercial activity which has, at times, been at odds with on-field efforts. In fact, road trips in sponsored vehicles were blamed for Kyle Sinckler and Ross Moriarty suffering back spasms in New Zealand in 2017.

There are financial imperatives, naturally, but the home unions must not drive the quest for profits too hard. Those who value what the Lions are meant to stand for should keep fingers crossed that commercial considerations are carefully managed to fit in the background, behind what Farrell and the rugby hierarchy seek to achieve Down Under. All concerned must recognise that thousands of people will fly to Australia to follow a badge, not a brand.

They will also follow the passionate man in charge to the ends of the earth, gladly, as Farrell snr exudes an innate enthusiasm for the four-country touring tradition. As he begins to plot the 2025 campaign culminating in a three-Test series against the Wallabies, the Englishman who has done a fine job at the helm in Ireland should set the bar sky-high for his Lions.

Andy Farrell was unveiled last week as the next head coach of the Lions

Farrell will be in charge of the Lions for their tour of Australia after previously working with the team in an assistant role

The Ireland head coach will take over the reigns in charge of the British and Irish Lions for their 2025 tour

Unless the rugby world turns upside-down in the intervening 18 months, the visitors will be strong favourites, so they should create their own twist on the ‘99’ call to arms from the 1974 tour of South Africa, but this time make it 9/9. Nine from nine. Win the lot; a clean sweep.

The Lions have a warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin before departure, then they should go hunting for a perfect return, to reflect their superiority. The hosts will be there for the taking.

While Farrell claims to have moved on from 2013 – when he implored the Lions to take their rivals to the ‘hurt arena’ in a series decider in Sydney, before routing the Wallabies – he can inspire a similar no-mercy outlook this time, in relation to Australian rugby as a whole. Bring thousands of travelling spectators to drive an up-turn in interest and revenue, then take all-comers to the cleaners.

Look at the opposition. Western Force; beatable. Queensland Red; beatable. New South Wales Waratahs; beatable. Brumbies; beatable. ANZAC XV; beatable – whoever they may be. Melbourne Rebels; beatable – if they still exist by then. Wallabies; beatable – three times.

If anyone can inspire the Lions with infectious enthusiasm, it is Andy Farrell; rugby’s renowned Mr Motivator

Farrell previously worked as an defence coach in a previous Lions tour under Warren Gatland

If anyone can inspire the Lions with infectious enthusiasm, to keep hitting the heights and ticking off the wins, it is Andy Farrell; rugby’s renowned Mr Motivator.

And if it happens, all the sponsors can relish the reflected glory, while the sporting stars are up in lights, rather than logos and branding.

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Steve Borthwick names his England squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday morning and here’s hoping it is the first step towards quickening the pulse of the country’s rugby public.

That has to happen. Apathy is a very real threat. The group named by the national head coach doesn’t have to represent a root-and-branch overhaul or a youth movement for the sake of it, but an indication that the time is right for a more adventurous approach.

There is razzle-dazzle out there and people want to see it, no matter how much the very notion of trying to lay on a show is sneered at by some rugby traditionalists, who cherish muddy rolling mauls over catch-and-pass artistry. For their chances of success and re-engaging the nation, England need to expand their repertoire.

Steve Borthwick names his England squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday

There is a real need for Borthwick and England to help with quickening the pulse of the country’s rugby public

Pace please – lots of it – not just grunt, although the former can’t exist without a hefty dose of the latter, of course. As England have turned Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s head then Borthwick should crack on and pick Exeter’s Welsh wing.

On form, it would be right to see, among those named, Ben Spencer, Alfie Barbeary, Henry Slade, Tommy Freeman and George Furbank.

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One of the individual performances of the weekend came in Cape Town where Stormers No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani caused all sorts of trouble for Sale, with his dynamic open-field running.

One first-half charge out of defence could have led to one of the solo tries of the season if Dayimani had backed his pace as he was pursued by defenders. The fact that such an athletic asset can be uncapped at the age of 26 is a reflection of the depth of forward talent available to the Springboks – but if he carries on in the same vein, a Test debut must come at some stage.

One of the individual performances of the weekend came in Cape Town where Stormers No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani caused all sorts of trouble for Sale

Dayimani’s rampaging contribution summed up a free-spirit approach in the sunshine by the Stormers which built on the feel-good mood in South African rugby after the Boks’ World Cup triumph and also served to counter a few old stereotypes.

To see the fleet-footed likes of Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse attacking in such a liberated fashion shattered the myth that the oval-ball culture in their country is all about pragmatism, muscle and legalised warfare.

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It is good to see prominent figures supporting better alignment between English and Welsh rugby at domestic level – which becomes such an enticing vision whenever cross-border fixtures take place.

After a noisy full house watched Cardiff put up a fight before succumbing to Harlequins, former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton posted on X: ‘After watching Cardiff over the last couple of weeks, the atmosphere and crowds… there is a definite argument for them to be part of the Premiership.’

Sam Warburton was in full support of Welsh teams joining England’s rugby Premiership

Sam Warburton replied: ‘One hundred per cent. Better for fans, atmosphere fantastic. Last 4 home games vs Welsh and English sides have been 4 x home sell outs. Financially, the benefit from match-days alone is not even comparable. Needs some brave calls from administrators.’

Hear, hear. Warburton should be invited to become one of those administrators, as a matter of urgency. He has the intelligence and insight, diplomacy and passion to make a difference.

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Last Word – French clubs’ polarised, hit-and-miss attitude towards the Champions Cup was summed up by events in Northampton, Dublin and Belfast on Friday and Saturday. Bayonne sent reserves to Franklin’s Gardens and simply surrendered.

The Saints are on a thunderous roll at the moment but they were playing against half-hearted fall-guys. It was an affront to the supposed standing of the tournament, as was another feeble capitulation by Stade Francais, this time against Leinster in the Irish capital.

Northampton Saints are on a thunderous roll at the moment as they stormed past Aviron Bayonnais

Meanwhile French side Toulose are hell-bent on earning a sixth Champions Cup

The Parisians were also thrashed at Sale and their campaign has been atrocious. But in contrast, Toulouse have a rich European heritage as five-time winners and they are evidently hell-bent on earning a sixth star, judging by the way they ran riot at Ravenhill.

Ulster are a formidable proposition at home but the visitors came close to a half-century as the regal Antoine Dupont led the onslaught. It was different-planet stuff from the France captain and it is hard to imagine him not illuminating the Sevens event at his home Olympics in Paris this summer.