Simon Easterby named interim Ireland head coach

Simon Easterby will assume the role of Ireland men's interim head coach from December to allow Andy Farrell concentrate on the 2025 Lions Tour, the IRFU has confirmed.

The current defence coach will take charge for next year's Six Nations and the, as yet, unconfirmed 2025 summer tour.

In June, it was announced that Easterby would lead an Emerging Ireland squad to South Africa once again this autumn in what was perceived to be a dry run for him stepping into the shoes of Farrell, who was officially confirmed as the British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2025 tour of Australia in January.

"To be asked to lead the Ireland team is a huge honour and one that I am thrilled to accept," Easterby said.

"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."

A former Ireland captain, Easterby played 65 times for Ireland between 2000 and 2008 and was a member of the British and Irish Lions tour of 2005.

In the summer of 2014, he was recruited by then head coach Joe Schmidt as forwards coach to replace John Plumtree, having spent two seasons as Scarlets head coach.

He remained part of the backroom team after Schmidt's departure and is considered a key part of Irish success over the last decade.

Easterby first led an Emerging Ireland squad in the autumn of 2022, when a callow Irish crop players travelled to Bloemfontein to face three South African Currie Cup sides.

The former flanker will officially begin his role as interim had coach on 1 December.