England coaches Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell assist British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland on the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

In addition former British and Irish Lion Rob Howley who was a Lions assistant coach in 2009 and toured with the Lions as a player in 1997 and 2001 will also join the staff.

Howley has taken over management of the Wales team in Gatland's absence while the New Zealander is preparing for the tour.

The appointment will be former Rugby League international and England Rugby World Cup 2007 back Andy Farrell's first involvement with the Lions.

The British and Irish Lions have yet to officially confirm the appointments but this will happen on Wednesday next week.

The Lions start their tour in 2013 with a match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on Saturday the 1st of June and move on to play Super Rugby franchise the Western Force just four days later.

The Rugby Football Union have already given Farrell and Rowntree their backing to join the Lions despite England having a tour of Argentina at the start of the Lions tour.