Former Tasman coach Andrew Goodman has joined the British and Irish Lions coaching staff for this winter's tour of Australia.

The British and Irish Lions will play a First Nations lineup in Melbourne as part of the nine-game tour of Australia that includes three test matches against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies. Rugby Australia confirmed the final itinerary Thursday,

The British and Irish Lions face a battle to access their France-based players for the start of the tour of Australia after head coach Andy Farrell admitted they are willing to negotiate their early release.