Tag Archives: andy farrell

Conor O’Shea has backed Mike Catt to have an immediate impact in Ireland’s new-look management side under Andy Farrell.  The former England international spent the last three years working alongside O’Shea with the Italian national team. Both recently stepped away from their respective roles with Catt set to link up with former colleague Andy Farrell ahead of the 2020 Six …

The fallout from Ireland’s disappointing 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign will continue between now and the 2020 Six Nations as IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora conducts a thorough review of the campaign by interviewing players and coaching staff.  There are multiple theories being submitted to explain Ireland’s decline in 2019; a stagnant gameplan, an over-the-top, all-encompassing focus on breaking the …

Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell has said that Jordi Murphy is better than expected following an injury suffered against Russia last week.  The back-rower, who arrived in Japan as cover for Jack Conan, appeared to be in distress as he was removed after 26 minutes of Ireland’s 35-0 win over Russia with a rib injury. Murphy went for a scan …

Ireland defence coach and head coach in waiting, Andy Farrell, believes that Ireland can use their shock defeat to Japan as a “powerful” motivator for the rest of the World Cup.  Farrell was speaking at Ireland’s captain’s run at the Kobe Misaki Stadium on the eve their clash with Russia on Thursday. The 19-12 defeat to the host nation has …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell has provided a positive update on the fitness of Keith Earls and Rob Kearney ahead of Sunday’s World Cup clash with Scotland. Earls and Kearney are suffering from knee and calf problems, respectively and there has been widespread concern that the duo could miss out the Pool A opener against …

In the absence of Joe Schmidt, who has returned to New Zealand due to a family bereavement, Andy Farrell will take charge of Ireland as they face Italy in their first World Cup warm-up game this weekend. The defence coach will succeed Schmidt as head coach of the Ireland side following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup later this …

All going according to plan, Jean Kleyn will make his Ireland debut on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.  The 25-year-old South African has completed his three-year residency period which sees him qualify to play for Ireland just in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He’s been named to start on Saturday which could also see an international debut for …

Saracens have won the Heineken Champions Cup trophy for the third time in their history after dethroning Leinster at St. James Park this afternoon.  It’s the third time in four seasons that the English club have lifted European club rugby’s top prize and Irishman, Mark McCall, has been an ever-present in all three of those victories. The Saracens director of …

Wales assistant coach, Robin McBryde, will replace John Fogarty at Leinster when he becomes Ireland scrum coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Fogarty will also take up the role of IRFU National Academy forwards coach from July 1, working across all four provinces “to further develop the alignment and deliver a technical programme for both scrum and lineout for …

Andy Farrell will face Gregor Townsend’s Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in his first Six Nations game as Ireland head coach in February of next year. A full fixture list was announced today for both the 2020 & 2021 tournament with Ireland set to play all three home nations in the opening three rounds next year. Elsewhere, Grand Slam champions …

Andy Farrell has spoken openly for the first time since it was announced that he would be taking over as Ireland head coach after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.  Joe Schmidt will step down as Ireland boss after the tournament and a new era will begin with Farrell at the helm as he faces the unenviable task of taking …

A narrowed down 19-man Ireland squad took part in an open training session at a sun-kissed Aviva Stadium this afternoon as preparations begin for the trip to Rome for a clash with Italy on Sunday week.  Ireland defence coach, Andy Farrell, described today’s session, which involved a training game against the U20s who showed “a bit of intent”, as a …

Rob Kearney will captain Leinster on his return to first-team action when they welcome Ulster to the RDS tomorrow evening (kick-off 5.15pm). It is the first meeting between the two provinces this season, and both are opting for a second-string side, ahead of crucial Champions Cup fixtures scheduled for next weekend. Leinster’s stand-in skipper believes they can’t read too much …

Ronan O’Gara has admitted that he wouldn’t rule out a move to the Irish coaching setup should the right role come along at the right time. The legendary Irish outhalf is currently the Assistant Backs Coach for the Crusaders, a post he took up in January of this year. He has won many plaudits for his time there, as he …

Andy Farrell’s appointment as Joe Schmidt’s successor after the 2019 World Cup has been met with a sense of ‘what could have been’ from the English rugby public and media.  Farrell, of course, was axed from the England coaching set-up along with Stuart Lancaster and Graham Rowntree after the ill-fated 2015 World Cup where the Red Rose failed to get out …

The IRFU yesterday confirmed that Joe Schmidt will step down as Ireland head coach after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and will be replaced by current defence coach Andy Farrell. It is seen as a smart appointment by the IRFU given that Farrell has made a huge contribution to this current Ireland squad over the last two and a half …

The IRFU confirmed our worst fears this morning with the news that Joe Schmidt will step down as Ireland’s head coach after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.  Schmidt’s departure is sure to disappoint fans across the country given the unprecedented levels of success he has brought to Irish rugby. The 53-year-old still has 11 months left before he …