Ireland
Ireland appoint Andy Farrell as their new defence coach
Tom Hamilton
January 6, 2016
Andy Farrell, England backs coach
Andy Farrell, England backs coach© David Rogers/Getty Images

The Irish Rugby Football Union has appointed Andy Farrell as Ireland's new defence coach.

Farrell will take up the new role after the Six Nations and is contracted to the IRFU until 2019. Farrell's last role was with England and was part of Stuart Lancaster's backroom staff but in the wake of their disastrous World Cup campaign, Eddie Jones opted to release Farrell and bring in Paul Gustard.

Farrell will bring a wealth of experience to the role having played at the highest level in both league and union and coached at Saracens and then England. He was also part of the British & Irish Lions coaching team on their victorious tour of Australia in 2013.

"It's great to have Andy coming into our coaching team," Ireland boss Joe Schmidt said. "The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us."

Farrell added: "To have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me. With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can't wait to get started."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Tom Hamilton is the Associate Editor of ESPNscrum.

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