By David Williams

Former Scarlets coach and captain Simon Easterby will take over as interim Ireland head coach during Andy Farrell’s time in charge of the British and Irish Lions.

Farrell is set to oversee autumn Tests against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in Dublin before temporarily departing his role to lead next year’s Lions tour against the Wallabies.

Ireland defence coach Easterby will take control from December 1 and steer Ireland through the 2025 Guinness Six Nations and a subsequent summer tour, details of which are yet to be confirmed.

“’To be asked to lead the Ireland team is a huge honour and one that I am thrilled to accept,” the 49-year-old told the Irish Rugby Football Union website.

“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.’

Simon Easterby will take over as interim Ireland head coach from December, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced on Tuesday. https://t.co/31ixkibwL6 https://t.co/31ixkibwL6

— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) September 17, 2024

Easterby joined the Ireland coaching team in 2014 after leaving the Scarlets and will next month manage the Emerging Ireland squad’s tour of South Africa, having previously performed that role in 2022.

“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,” he continued.

“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.”

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Farrell has guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles and victories over each of Test rugby’s leading sides since replacing Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup, in addition to a spell at the top of the world rankings.

The Englishman’s Lions squad will face Schmidt’s Australia on July 19 in Brisbane, July 26 in Melbourne and August 2 in Sydney.

IRFU performance director David Humphreys said: “I am delighted to confirm Simon’s promotion later this year and it is recognition of his evolution and high-standing as a coach within the Ireland set-up over the last 10 years.

“As head coach for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in 2022 he had a front row seat as a number of players pushed on to achieve international selection in the intervening period.

“It is our hope that Simon and his coaching team can help reap more positive performances in the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa and then in the months to come.”

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