Andy Farrell: Handing Ireland reins to Simon Easterby will be ‘seamless’ process

Andy Farrell expects a “seamless” transition in the Ireland camp during his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions.

Farrell will temporarily depart his head coach role following Saturday’s clash with Joe Schmidt’s Australia in order to lead next year’s Lions series against the same nation.

Defence coach Simon Easterby, who has overseen two Emerging Ireland tours of South Africa, is set to take interim charge of the team and will spearhead their Guinness Six Nations title defence and a subsequent summer tour.

“We’ve been working together long enough now to agree on how this team needs to be driven forward with us all involved,” Farrell said of his imminent departure.

“All our ideas over the years, that will continue. Simon is unbelievably diligent and the right man for the role as far as leading from the front.

“We’ve had the experience there and we’ve seen the credentials there and we know it’s going to be a seamless one.”

Asked about the importance of signing off in victorious fashion, Farrell said: “Honestly, to me, I’ve not really give it much thought.

“The only thing that drives me on is planning for the future of this team and that’s only been at the forefront of my mind, certainly over the last six months anyway.

“It just so happens that we’re here on a big game with the last game, but after that what will be will be. We’ll turn that page when we get to it.”

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Ireland began November with a deflating 23-13 defeat to New Zealand before returning to winning ways thanks to a nervy 22-19 victory over Argentina and a comprehensive 52-17 demolition of Fiji.

The visit of the Wallabies, coached by former Ireland boss Schmidt, has been arranged to mark 150 years of Irish rugby.