Geoff Parling to Make History as First to Play for and Coach Against British and Irish Lions

Geoff Parling, the former England lock and 2013 British and Irish Lions player, is set to make rugby history in 2025. Parling will join Joe Schmidt's Wallabies coaching staff in July 2025, becoming the first person to both play for and coach against the Lions in a Test series.

Parling, who moved to Australia in 2018 for a playing stint and has since settled there as a dual-passport holder, expressed his enthusiasm about the distinctive experience. "It's not something I can play down. To be the first person to play for and coach against the Lions, it's going to be a distinctive experience," he said.

In addition to the historic Lions series, Parling is also anticipating the Wallabies' upcoming Tests against Wales and Georgia in July. He previously had a stint with the Wallabies under former coach Dave Rennie in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when his family could not attend the games. "To have them experience an international game whilst I'm coaching is something I'm really anticipating," Parling added.

Why this matters: Parling's appointment highlights the globalization of rugby and the increasing cross-pollination of coaching talent across international borders. His distinctive perspective, having played for and now coaching against the Lions, adds an intriguing storyline to the highly anticipated 2025 Test series.

The Wallabies have a major rebuilding task ahead, having failed to reach the knockout rounds of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, the appointment of highly-rated coach Joe Schmidt has brought optimism to Australian rugby, with the 2025 Lions tour, the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup, and the 2029 women's World Cup on the horizon.

Parling acknowledged the challenge of coaching against teams he has affection for, including England, whom the Wallabies will face at Twickenham in November. "There's no doubt it will be a little pull on the heartstrings," he said. However, Parling emphasized that he is now fully committed to the Wallabies and sees a "golden opportunity" for Australian rugby in the coming years.

Key Takeaways

• Geoff Parling to coach Wallabies against 2025 British & Irish Lions, a historic first.
• Parling previously played for the Lions, now set to coach against them.
• Wallabies face Wales, Georgia in July 2025 as part of Parling's coaching tenure.
• Parling's appointment reflects rugby's globalization and cross-border coaching talent.
• Wallabies aim to rebuild after 2023 World Cup, with 2025 Lions tour and future events.