Andy Farrell's journey to Ireland head coach

Andy Farrell's journey to Ireland head coach

The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Joe Schmidt will leave his post as the Ireland head coach following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Schmidt's assistant coach and defence guru Andy Farrell will take over as the Ireland head coach following the conclusion of the World Cup. 

Farrell has enjoyed a successful career as a coach and as a player in both rugby union and league.

He began his career in rugby league as a goal kicking loose forward in 1991 with Wigan and went on to enjoy a successful career in rugby league between 1991 and 2004.


He won six Championships and four Challenge Cups with Wigan, as well as numerous individual awards.

He also captained Great Britain making 34 appearances for the side scoring 134 points as well as 11 appearances for England.


In 2005 Farrell made the switch to rugby union when he signed for Saracens, his debut was delayed due to a series of injuries and a car crash. 

He finally made his try scoring debut for Saracens and went on to represent England in 2007 and was named in the England squad for the Rugby World Cup.

Farrell was promoted to Saracens first-team coach at the end of 2010 after impressing as skills coach.

In 2011 he and Graham Rowntree joined the England national coaching team, led by Stuart Lancaster, for the 2012 Six Nations championship.

After the successful campaign, Farrell was given the chance to become a permanent part of the England coaching team, but decided to return to Saracens. 

However, Farrell soon left the London club and the RFU announced on 28 June 2012 that he would join the England coaching team on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Farrell toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 as defence coach, having proved himself with England. He was heavily praised by head coach Warren Gatland, having drilled the team to concede very few points during the 10-match tour.

Following the resignation of head coach Stuart Lancaster after a disappointing 2015 Rugby World Cup, newly appointed head coach Eddie Jones let Farrell ago along with the rest of the coaching team. 

He joined the Ireland national set up following his departure from England and has since helped the side to a Grand Slam Six Nations, a first win on South African soil (2016), a first win over New Zealand (2016) and a series win in Australia (2018).

Farrell has been heavily praised for his efforts with Ireland and the British and Irish Lions both sides were able to stop the All Blacks from scoring tries for 80 minutes. 

Latest News