The IRFU today announced that former assistant coach with England, Andy Farrell, would join the Ireland set up as the defence coach.
Andy will take up the role with Ireland following the 2016 RBS 6 Nations Championships.
From 2011 to 2015, Farrell was the assistant coach with England, as well as defence coach for the 2013 Series winning Lions squad. Previous to joining the England set-up, Andy coached Aviva Premiership side Saracens.
Farrell was part of a coaching set-up that was highly criticsed in the wake of England's dismal World Cup performance on their own soil. In particular, there was much discussion over the selection of Sam Burgess for the team, given that he had switched codes to rugby union in 2014, and was still adapting to the game at international level.
Commenting on the announcement, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said: "It's great to have Andy coming into our coaching team. The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us".
Farrell stated that "to have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me. With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can't wait to get started".
Farrell's contract with the IRFU starts ahead of the June summer tour of South Africa, and runs until the completion of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
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