One of the biggest questions surrounding Andy Farrell’s appointment as Lions head coach is how it will affect his duties with the Ireland national team.
This is new for the IRFU as Farrell is the first Irish head coach to take charge of the Lions since Noel Murphy on tour to South Africa in 1980.
Recommendation
The pinnacle of Farrell’s time as Ireland head coach was last year’s Grand Slam success, but 2023 is likely to be long remembered as a ‘what if’ event. Questions raised by Ireland’s failure to get past the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Farrell is to remain contracted as Ireland’s coach until the next World Cup cycle, with Ireland legend Donal Lenihan saying his appointment as Lions head coach means Ireland will be in the running for the 2027 tournament. I think it will help us move forward.
Read here: Ulster man admits being ‘bitter’ about treatment at Irish camp
Read here: Rob Carney explains why O’Gara and Sexton relationship wasn’t healthy
Donal Lenihan has an unusual theory on why Andy Farrell’s job with the Lions will help Ireland
November 19, 2022. Andy Farrell, head coach of the Ireland national team, during the Ireland vs Australia match in the Bank of Ireland Nations Series at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.Photo credit: Ramsey Cardi/Sportsfile
Andy Farrell’s reign as Ireland manager has brought great success in the Six Nations, but the loss to New Zealand in the last eight of last year’s World Cup is likely to stay with Ireland fans for some time to come.
It is hoped that Ireland will finally be able to break their quarter-final curse when the tournament is hosted in Australia in 2027, but Farrell’s appointment as Lions head coach comes as a surprise.
Farrell will miss next year’s Six Nations, which marks the halfway point of the World Cup cycle, as he pivots to his responsibilities as Lions coach. Despite Farrell’s expected absence, former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan believes the Lions’ appointment as head coach will be a positive for Ireland as they aim for World Cup glory in 2027.
In fact, I think it’s a positive for Ireland. If you think about it, we have a very experienced coaching group that will be together for another two years. He just left the game against Ireland in December this year, so effectively that will be next season’s Six Nations Championship.
I think that would benefit Ireland in two ways. Firstly, he will be close to players from other countries. Secondly, the next World Cup will be held in Australia… managing a group like the Lions can only benefit Ireland as well, as they have been in the World Cup for two years prior to that.
At his unveiling as Lions coach on Thursday afternoon, Andy Farrell was adamant that he would not allow his role as Lions coach to interfere with his job with Ireland, or vice versa.
It will be interesting to see how the IRFU deal with Farrell’s absence, with Simon Easterby rumored to be taking up the interim head coaching role for next year’s Six Nations.
Related item: Clip from 2013 may provide answer to one of Andy Farrell’s Lions’ biggest dilemmas
