There is a Dunedin link to a high-powered coaching team named yesterday to support head coach Andy Farrell on the Lions tour of Australia.
Former Otago B midfielder Andrew Goodman has been named as one of Farrell’s assistants.
Goodman was a Nelson College product who was educated at the University of Otago and played for the Southern club while nibbling at the fringes of the Otago NPC team.
He returned to his home province and played 55 games for Tasman between 2006 and 2015.
Goodman later had playing spells in Japan and with Irish club Leinster before turning to off-field roles.
He was Tasman co-coach in 2019-21 and a Crusaders assistant before returning north to join the Leinster staff.
Goodman joined Ireland as backs coach last year and has now taken another step by being invited to help Farrell at the Lions.
Former Irish loose forward Simon Easterby, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005 and filled in for Lions-seconded Farrell as Ireland head coach during the Six Nations, and Irish scrum coach John Fogarty will also join the Lions.
England assistant and former test halfback Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel complete the coaching staff for the tour of Australia.
"This coaching group has versatility and are interchangeable in their skill set, which is a vital asset to have on a Lions tour," Farrell said.
"I think we have a fantastic mix and every one of these guys will bring their own character and personality to the team.
"A Lions tour is all about understanding the demands that we will face on and off the pitch and a fresh perspective among this coaching group is something that I am really excited by."
Farrell will unveil his squad on May 8.
The Lions play Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before five warm-up games in Australia and three tests on July 19, July 26 and August 2.
