Andy Farrell signs contract extension to stay as Ireland head coach until 2025

Andy Farrell has signed a two-year contract extension to stay as Ireland head coach until 2025.

Irish chiefs have moved to tie down Farrell beyond the 2023 World Cup, with the former dual-code international’s stock having shot up after the summer’s historic Test series win in New Zealand.

English supremo Bill Sweeney only last week admitted Farrell remains “very highly regarded” at the RFU with the search underway for Eddie Jones’ successor.

But now the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has moved swiftly to shut down any talk of Farrell returning to England by extending the 47-year-old’s contract.

Performance director David Nucifora admitted the IRFU was aware that Farrell would be in demand elsewhere in hailing the Ireland boss’ extended terms.

“Andy is one of the outstanding coaches in world rugby and his work in leading the transition within the national team since the 2019 Rugby World Cup has been exceptional,” said Nucifora.

“Ireland are currently the number one ranked team in the world, an incredibly tough five-match tour of New Zealand was a success on several levels and a Triple Crown was secured in the 2022 Six Nations Championship.

“A coach of Andy’s calibre is always going to be in high demand, and we are delighted that he has agreed to extend his contract with the IRFU.

“This new deal, agreed prior to the tour of New Zealand, allows us to plan beyond the 2023 Rugby World Cup with the certainty that one of the top coaching talents in the game is spearheading the national programme.”

Irish bosses have built in the opportunity to extend Farrell’s contract still further as part of the new deal.

“I am happy to extend my contract with Irish Rugby for a further two years,” said Farrell.

“As a group we have made it