Andy Farrell says David Nucifora is "one of the absolute best" as he confirms the Australian's appointment to his British and Irish Lions staff

The British and Irish Lions have confirmed David Nucifora, Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond as the first appointments to Andy Farrell ’s backroom staff for this summer’s tour to Australia.

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.

The greening of the Lions continues apace with former IRFU performance director David Nucifora confirmed as the tour’s general manager, with two key union employees coming on board Andy Farrell's backroom team.

David Nucifora joins on a consultancy basis while Aled Walters and Vinny Hammond will link up after the Guinness Six Nations.

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David Nucifora has been confirmed as a member of Andy Farrell's backroom team with the British and Irish Lions next summer, while Farrell has also included Aled Walters and Vinnie Hammond from his Irish rugby staff.