Interim boss Simon Easterby believes back-to-back champions Ireland are “up for the challenge” of chasing Six Nations history in the absence of Andy Farrell. Ireland are bidding to become the first country to claim three consecutive titles since the championship was expanded 25 years ago.
While their 36-man squad retains a familiar feel, influential head coach Farrell has temporarily stepped aside as he prepares to lead the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. Defence coach Easterby, who has been part of Ireland’s staff for more than a decade, has been impressed by the attitude of his players and is confident the short-term switch will prove relatively seamless.
“I don’t think there is a huge change, other than obviously Faz (Farrell) not being with us,” said the former Ireland and Lions back-row forward. “The challenge is to stay ahead of the pack and prepare as well as we can and try and play as well as we can.
“It is tough because every team in this competition will believe they can win it, and rightly so. “Personally I’m hugely excited to work with a talented group and speaking to the players you can sense that they are up for the challenge.”. Farrell will remain close at hand as he lives a short distance from the Aviva Stadium in the Dublin suburb of Sandymount.
The Englishman masterminded a Grand Slam success in 2023 and was only denied a repeat of that feat last year by a last-gasp Marcus Smith drop goal in a 23-22 loss to England. Ireland have an immediate opportunity to avenge the dramatic Twickenham defeat when Steve Borthwick’s men visit Dublin on the opening weekend of the tournament.
