The brains behind one of the best scrums in world rugby, John Fogarty is set for his first British & Irish Lions Tour this summer.

The Ireland scrum coach was announced as one of Andy Farrell’s Assistant Coaches alongside John Dalziel, Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman and Richard Wigglesworth.

Fogarty described his appointment as a dream come true and is the highlight of a 10-year coaching career with Leinster and Ireland.

As a player, Fogarty was a highly-respected hooker for Munster and Connacht between 2000 and 2008, before moving to Leinster where he was part of the side that won the 2009 Heineken Cup.

Fogarty was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2010 tour of New Zealand and earned his first Test cap as a replacement against the All Blacks, but injuries forced him to hang up his boots later that year.

He immediately switched to coaching, becoming an Elite Player Development Officer with the IRFU for four years. He was appointed Leinster scrum coach in 2015 and then National Academy Forwards Coach in July 2019.

“I didn’t believe Andy when he called me,” he said.

“This is a dream come true and I am so proud and thankful to Andy and everyone at the Lions.

“I have had some brilliant days with Leinster and Ireland, but there is something so special about bringing the home nations and all their supporters together.

“The responsibility to make sure this is a successful Tour is incredibly special - I just can’t wait.

“It’s a massive challenge and there is a huge opportunity to do something really special. I can’t wait to get going.”