Andy Farrell has taken charge of his last Ireland match for nearly a year following the 22-19 victory over Australia on Saturday to close out the autumn internationals.
Defence coach Simon Easterby will lead Ireland’s Six Nations campaign as Farrell steps up to become head coach of the British & Irish Lions when they tour Australia next summer.
However, his first match as Lions coach against Argentina will take place in the familiar surroundings of the Aviva Stadium before the touring party heads down under for nine matches, including three Tests against Joe Schmidt‘s Wallabies.
It was Schmidt who initially brought Farrell into the Ireland fold as an assistant in 2016 after he was dismissed from the England set-up following a disastrous Rugby World Cup.
Farrell, a former rugby league star with Wigan Warriors, took over from Schmidt after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and has built on the New Zealander’s success while bringing through a new generation of players.
Under Schmidt, Ireland won the Six Nations twice and beat New Zealand for the first time in the team’s history.
Farrell has since won the Six Nations twice, including a Grand Slam in 2023, and won a series against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Farrell’s Ireland team was the top-ranked side in world rugby going into last year’s Rugby World Cup, but sadly couldn’t break the county’s quarter-final hoodoo, going down 28-24 to the All Blacks in Paris.
Ireland have since recovered, winning the 2024 Six Nations, beating world champions South Africa on their home turf, and winning three out of four of their autumn internationals while suffering another disappointing loss to New Zealand.
Farrell, who following a glittering rugby league career struggled with injuries after transitioning to rugby union with Saracens and England, won World Rugby Coach of the Year last year.
He also signed a long-term contract extension with the IRFU that will see him take charge of the Ireland men’s team until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, bringing his tenure with the national team to 11 years.
“Coaching Ireland has been a hugely enjoyable experience and I am proud to extend my association with the IRFU,” Farrell said at the time.
“It is a pleasure to work with such a talented and committed group of players and as we enter a new cycle, it will be exciting to see more players come through the system.
“There is a talented group of established internationals who are determined to succeed at international level for Ireland and I am excited to see how the recent Ireland Under-20 squads will also emerge and challenge for international honours in the near future. It all makes for an exciting next chapter and it is one which my family and I are delighted to continue.”
IRFU performance director David Nucifora said it was a “significant coup” to retain his services while IRFU CEO Kevin Potts described him as “a world class coach and an inspirational leader of great talent and integrity.”
Farrell was the top pick to succeed Warren Gatland, who led the Lions on their past three tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Farrell was an assistant on the Lions’ last tour to Australia in 2013, which the Lions won 2-1, and he will be charged with leading the team to a first tour victory since then next summer.
As Lions head coach, it has been reported that Farrell could earn a salary of more than £750,000.
His Ireland base salary is believed to be around €600,000.
Photo: Andy Farrell. (Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images)