Andy Farrell has admitted that it is "a massive honour" to be part of the Lions coaching staff for next summer's tour of Australia.

Head coach Warren Gatland will also be joined by Graham Rowntree and Rob Howley for the tour, which gets underway in June next year.

"It's a massive honour and privilege to be asked to be involved in just a small part in the 125 years of history of the Lions. I feel very humbled to be involved. This is the ultimate. You always want to coach the best players around," he told reporters.

"Even when I was back playing the other code I always felt connected to the Lions - they're everyone's second favourite team and everyone gets sucked into the emotion the Lions go through.

"Four teams go hammer and tongs during the Six Nations, and then you see them come together, and the camaraderie for a six-week tour. It's bound to be special. To go over to Australia, which is a special place to tour, and hopefully come away with victory will be a massive memory for everyone to cherish."

Rowntree and Howley both made the trip to South Africa in 2009.