The stirring speech that marked Andy Farrell as a Lions icon

Gatland, who had laid down the succession blocks by first selecting Farrell for the 2013 tour ahead of his then Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards, at the time a painful and controversial decision, was impressed by his ability to connect with the players.

“I got a glimpse of Faz’s innovation during an early defensive meeting when Paul ‘Bobby’ Stridgeon, our strength and conditioning coach, interrupted the meeting when his phone went off. Faz gave him both barrels and demanded that Bobby repeat back to him the defensive structure and strategy he had outlined,” recalled Gatland.

“We all sat back in our seats in embarrassment for Bobby but were stunned when he repeated word for word what Faz had said. It was only later that I discovered the whole thing had been set up as a ploy for Faz to get his message across to the players. If the fitness guy can remember our defence, so could they.”

‘One of the best rugby brains’

Jamie George, who had been selected for the New Zealand tour despite having not started a game for England and ended up in the Test team, concurs that Farrell’s ability to get his message across, and also make each player feel special, was a stand-out feature of his Lions input.

“He’s one of the best coaches that I’ve ever worked with,” said George. “He’s one of the best rugby brains that I’ve ever come across. The way that he delivers a message is very clear, but it’s very thought out. But I also think it was special because of his understanding of people and what people need because he’s been there and done it in a very similar way.

“He understands people and understands that playing international rugby is pretty highly-pressurised environment and his ability to allow people time when they need it, time with their families, is a perfect fit for a Lions coach.

“It’s something that Warren Gatland has done very well, and I think it’s something that Andy will take on and run with and I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be hugely successful.”