Andy Farrell has signed a two-year contract extension to remain as Ireland head coach until the end of the 2027 World Cup.
Farrell made the announcement on the same day that Rob Howley was appointed to Warren Gatland’s coaching staff for the Six Nations in his first involvement with Wales since being banned for breaching betting regulations.
Ireland’s head coach said: “Coaching [this team] has been a hugely enjoyable experience and I am proud to extend my association with the IRFU. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented and committed group of players and, as we enter a new cycle, it will be exciting to see more players come through the system.”
Farrell, who took up his present role in 2019 and is a leading contender for the head coach role on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025, added: “There is a talented group of established internationals who are determined to succeed at international level for Ireland and I am excited to see how the last number of Ireland Under-20 squads will also emerge and challenge for international honours in the near future.
“It all makes for an exciting next chapter and it is one which my family and I are delighted to continue.”
Ireland lost to New Zealand in the quarter-final of this year’s World Cup in France, having gone into the tournament ranked No 1 in the world. Farrell had previously led Ireland in the summer to a first-ever series win in New Zealand while they also won a grand slam earlier this year.
David Nucifora, the IRFU’s performance director, also said that Farrell would be able to take time out in order to lead the Lions in 2025 with the Ireland head coach expected to be handed the role when an annoucement is due in January. Farrell previously toured with the Lions as defence coach in 2013 and 2017.
“We’d be ecstatic if Andy was named coach of the Lions so hopefully that accolade is the next one for him and we’d be more than comfortable with how to deal with it.
“As far as the period of time he might be away from us, that’s still something I think can be discussed if this happens.”
Howley, meanwhile, served as Wales’ attack coach from 2008 to 2019 in a period that included four Championship titles for the national side, three of them grand slams.
The former Lions scrum-half was forced to take a break from rugby prior to the 2019 World Cup when his betting activity came to light, resulting in an 18-month ban from the sport, half of which was suspended.
He has returned to the fold as a “technical” coach in a role that also sees him involved with the Wales Under-20 side before their Six Nations.
“It feels to me like the time is right and I’m really looking forward to returning to the fold with Wales,” Howley said. “I have a second opportunity to do a job I’ve dedicated my working life to and I’m grateful to everyone in Welsh rugby for their acceptance and their faith in me, it’s faith I intend to repay to the best of my ability.
“I have been through an extremely challenging time in my life. Speaking out and talking about it has enabled me to move forward.”
Jonathan Thomas’ departure as contact area coach created space in Gatland’s management team, allowing Howley to link up with fellow assistants Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys, Neil Jenkins and Alex King.
