On Thursday, Andy Farrell brought an end to the speculations by confirming that he will be leading the Ireland rugby team to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. This decision was made as Rob Howley was appointed to Warren Gatland’s coaching staff for the upcoming Six Nations, marking his return to working with the Wales team after being banned for breaching betting regulations.
In a statement, Farrell expressed his pride in extending his association with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), emphasizing the enjoyment he has experienced from coaching the team. He also highlighted the talent and dedication of the players, expressing excitement for the upcoming cycle and the emergence of new talent within the squad.
Emphasizing his enthusiasm for the next chapter of Ireland’s rugby journey, Farrell also expressed delight in being able to continue his role with the team, highlighting the determination of established internationals and the potential of the emerging Ireland Under-20 squads.
Reflecting on Ireland’s recent performance, it was noted that the team had a strong showing in this year’s World Cup in France, despite a quarter-final loss to New Zealand. This disappointing outcome occurred despite Ireland entering the tournament as the top-ranked team in the world.
The announcement also shed light on Howley’s return to the fold, taking on a “technical” coaching role in the Wales team. Howley expressed his gratitude for the acceptance and faith shown to him by the Welsh rugby community, highlighting his dedication to fulfilling his role to the best of his ability.
Furthermore, Howley addressed the challenges he had faced, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to move forward and return to what he described as a job he had dedicated his working life to. His appointment came following the departure of Jonathan Thomas as a contact area coach, opening up a space in Gatland’s management team for Howley to join forces with other assistant coaches.
Overall, these developments mark an interesting turn in the coaching staff for both the Ireland and Wales rugby teams, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive future in the world of rugby. The 2027 Rugby World Cup is now set to be an even more anticipated and thrilling event, as Farrell takes on the leadership of Ireland’s team for the competition.