Andy Farrell will not be a part of Warren Gatland's Lions coaching team for the first time in three tours.
Ireland head coach Farrell was wanted again by Gatland after being so effective in his role as defence coach on the winning tour of Australia in 2013 and in the drawn series against New Zealand four years ago.
However Farrell has turned down the opportunity to reprise his role in South Africa this summer, which suggests the IRFU are confident that their tour to the Pacific Islands can take place in some shape or form.
Gatland had also hoped to have Munster's Graham Rowntree and Leicester's Steve Borthwick back involved, but they are not on the coaching ticket.
The only Irish link to the Lions set-up is Robin McBryde, with the Welshman who has fitted in seamlessly at Leinster over the past two seasons as scrum coach. He is reuniting with Gatland as forwards coach for the tour.
“I am very much looking forward to linking up with Warren and being part of his coaching group again,” said McBryde, who will remain with Leinster until the conclusion of the season before joining up with Gatland.
“We’ve seen some excellent rugby in the Six Nations recently with some stand out performances by players from the four Home Nations – especially some of the forwards. That’s really positive for the Lions.
“South African rugby is known for its physicality, so we’ll be under no illusions of what to expect when we arrive.
"The challenge for us will be to come together quickly and be physical and uncompromising in the way we play.
“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity ahead, but my focus will remain with Leinster until the end of the season and I’m incredibly grateful to them for allowing me to tour.”
Gatland said: “Obviously Robin is someone who I know very well from our time together in Wales. He is an impressive and experienced coach who continues to have success with Leinster.
"I think he’ll be well suited to the Lions environment and I am sure he will do an excellent job with the forwards."
The other members of Gatland's management team are Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who will be attack coach and the Scots' defence coach Steve Tandy will take on the same role with the Lions.
Wales' Neil Jenkins will be the kicking coach and so is expected to work closely with Johnny Sexton, if he is fit enough to tour again.
The Lions will face Japan in Murrayfield on June 26 in a pre-Tour game before heading to South Africa.
Scotland and Ireland are in the Springboks' World Cup finals pool for France 2023 and, notably, Tandy believes that Lions involvement now will help the Scottish coaching team get the inside line on the South Africans.
Clearly Farrell believes he is best served staying with Ireland, despite the fact his top players will with Gatland this summer.
“I am sure Gregor and I will benefit greatly from this experience and gain valuable knowledge about the Springboks ahead of the Rugby World Cup in two years’ time," said Tandy.
“To take on the World Champions in their own backyard is a massive test and one I am really looking forward to being part of.
“There have been some brilliant Lions defence coaches in the past – Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards and Phil Larder – so it’s a huge honour to be chosen.
“From a defence perspective we need to make sure we get everyone on the same page as quickly as possible."
Commenting on his selections in general, Gatland said: “I am very pleased to have assembled such a high-quality coaching team.
“It’s a really strong group and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together – I think we’ll all complement each other well in South Africa.
“A Lions Tour is a unique challenge, so it’s important to have some continuity in the coaching group."
