Simon Easterby to coach Ireland temporarily as Farrell leads Lions

Simon Easterby has been appointed as the interim head coach for Ireland, stepping in while Andy Farrell leads the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia. Easterby, who has been part of the Ireland coaching team since 2014, will take over on December 1 and is set to guide the team through the 2025 Guinness Six Nations and a summer tour yet to be confirmed. He expressed his excitement and honor at being chosen for this role, highlighting the talented players and coaching staff he will work with during Farrell's absence. Easterby has a wealth of experience, having previously managed the Emerging Ireland squad during their tour of South Africa in 2022. His promotion is seen as a recognition of his growth and standing within the Ireland coaching setup over the past decade. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) performance director, David Humphreys, emphasized the importance of Easterby’s role in nurturing future talent and building on the successes achieved under Farrell’s leadership. Under Farrell, Ireland has enjoyed significant success, including back-to-back Six Nations titles and notable victories against top-tier teams. As Easterby prepares to lead the team, he acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly with the upcoming autumn Tests against formidable opponents like New Zealand and Australia. The interim coaching period will be crucial for Easterby to implement his strategies and maintain the momentum built by Farrell. The IRFU hopes that this transition will yield positive performances and further strengthen the team as they look towards future competitions.