Lions-bound Farrell will 'leave us to crack on with it'

Simon Easterby says he expects Andy Farrell to "leave america to ace connected pinch it" erstwhile he takes a sabbatical to go nan British and Irish Lions caput coach.

Easterby will go Ireland's caput coach while Farrell takes complaint of nan Lions circuit of Australia.

Farrell will move his attraction to nan Lions pursuing Ireland's autumn internationals, and Easterby will measurement up from defence coach to nan apical occupation for nan Six Nations and a summertime tour.

Prior to that, Easterby will besides lead an Emerging Ireland broadside connected a circuit of South Africa successful October.

"I'm judge he'll beryllium location connected nan extremity of nan telephone if needed but arsenic acold arsenic we're concerned he is stepping distant completely," said Easterby connected Farrell's engagement during his sabbatical.

"He's leaving america to ace connected and get connected pinch it.

"He's been afloat progressive successful nan progression and nan continuity, and he will beryllium correct done to nan extremity of November.

"After that his attraction has to move to a monolithic twelvemonth for him arsenic he prepares for nan Lions circuit successful Australia."

Easterby has been a portion of Ireland's coaching squad since 2014 erstwhile he near nan Scarlets to travel connected committee arsenic Schmidt's forwards coach.

He became defence coach successful 2021 erstwhile Farrell stepped up to nan caput coach domiciled pursuing Schmidt's departure.

The 49-year-old erstwhile Ireland flanker says it intends "a immense amount" to go caput coach, moreover if it is connected a impermanent ground successful what is "such an important year".

He added that little conversations had taken spot astir nan anticipation of adding to aliases adjusting roles connected Ireland's coaching summons while Farrell is pinch nan Lions, but nan main attraction is connected November's fixtures pinch New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

Easterby added that nan value of Ireland's coaching squad and backroom set-up make it "so overmuch easier for nan caput coach to spell connected and do his job".

"Faz [Farrell] has put a superb squad together," Easterby added.

"That will proceed without him, but I'm really fortunate pinch nan group we get to activity with.

Easterby added that it was "exciting times" arsenic Ireland juggle building upon their caller occurrence and processing for nan adjacent World Cup, which will return spot successful Australia successful 2027.

He added that location is "one eye" connected nan World Cup arsenic some players and coaches look to progress.

"I wouldn't opportunity it is transformational but it's something, wherever Faz is going distant and there's a chance for others to measurement up, maine included, and immoderate others successful nan group will do immoderate different roles.

"I'd for illustration to deliberation what has been built already will support increasing and we will support building connected that.

"We will let that continuity to hap to springiness players nan champion opportunity to execute successful a greenish jersey, and hopefully they spell connected for occurrence elsewhere.

"We person a group of players who will beryllium quiet and keen to support winning and beryllium successful arsenic a playing group, but besides pinch 1 oculus connected what is coming down nan statement that summer."