Simon Easterby to be Ireland's interim coach in absence of Andy Farrell

Ireland have announced that Simon Easterby will be taking in charge of the side next year in the absence of the regular head coach Andy Farrell.

Easterby will be coaching the side for the 2025 Six Nations tournament as Farrell will take a sabbatical to prepare for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Easterby started his coaching career with Ireland in 2014 as a forwards coach and moved to the defence role in 2021. He also has played 65 Tests for Ireland and two matches for the British and Irish Lions during his playing career between 1998 and 2008.

"To be asked to lead the Ireland team is a huge honour and one that I am thrilled to accept. It is the highest achievement of my coaching career to date and I'm looking forward to working with the talented backroom team and players while Andy is away with the British and Irish Lions," said Easterby.

"I have greatly enjoyed being a part of the men's national team journey over the last 10 years and I believe that there are even brighter days ahead as we build towards a huge few months.

"There's a lot to play for before December and we're looking forward to providing the next crop of future Irish players with a chance to impress against talented international opponents in South Africa and then across the four Autumn Nations Series matches at Aviva Stadium."