Simon Easterby, born on July 21, 1975, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is a former Irish rugby union player and currently serves as the forwards coach for the Irish national team.
Early Life:
Easterby comes from a mixed heritage, with an English father and an Irish mother. His older brother, Guy Easterby, also played for the Ireland national team. Simon Easterby attended Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire and was a member of St Hughs house during his education.
Club Career:
Easterby had a notable club career, captaining the Scarlets for five consecutive seasons. He played over 200 games for Llanelli and the Scarlets, including more than 50 European matches. Easterby joined the Scarlets in 1999 after transferring from Leeds Tykes. Unfortunately, in August 2010, he was forced to retire at the age of 35 due to a knee injury.
International Career:
Easterby made his international debut for Ireland in a Six Nations victory over Scotland at Lansdowne Road in 2000. He quickly became a regular in the team, playing in all three games during the subsequent summer tour. However, he missed the entire following season due to injury and made his return in September 2001 against Scotland. Despite some ups and downs in his international career, Easterby remained a consistent presence in the Irish team. He earned a total of 65 caps for Ireland, scoring 40 points. In 2005, Easterby received a call-up to the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand as a replacement for Lawrence Dallaglio. He made two appearances for the Lions, including scoring a try in the second Test against the All Blacks.
Coaching Career:
After retiring as a player, Easterby took on coaching roles. He initially became the defence coach for the Scarlets, signing a two-year contract with the team. In June 2012, Easterby was promoted to head coach following Nigel Davies' departure to Gloucester. However, in July 2014, he left the Scarlets to join the Irish national team as the forwards coach, succeeding John Plumtree. He has since worked with the Irish team and transitioned into the role of forwards' coach.
Personal Life:
Simon Easterby is married to Sarra Elgan Rees, the daughter of former rugby union player Elgan Rees, who represented Neath RFC, Wales, and the British & Irish Lions. Sarra Elgan Easterby is a TV presenter and fluent Welsh speaker. The couple has two children, a daughter named Soffia (born in 2007) and a son named Ffredi (born in 2009).
KG(29/06/2023)
Career
 |
Ireland Coach |
2014 - present |
 |
Leeds Tykes Blindside Flanker |
1998 - 1999 |
 |
British & Irish Lions Blindside Flanker |
2005 - 2005 |
 |
Scarlets Coach |
2003 - 2012 |
 |
Emerging Ireland Head Coach |
2024 - 2025 |
