Ireland is open to Andy Farrell coaching the British and Irish Lions after signing a new contract until 2027.

Andy Farrell has taken Ireland to the top of the world rankings. Photo: PA/Bradley Collyer

Andy Farrell is expected to be confirmed as the next head coach of the British and Irish Lions next month after the Irish Rugby Football Union cleared the way for him to be appointed as Warren Gatland's successor.

The IRFU confirmed on Thursday that he had signed a new two-year extension to his contract as Ireland head coach until the 2027 World Cup, with performance director David Nucifora adding that the governing body would be «delighted» if he was named as head coach of the Irish national team. next Lions coach to tour Australia in 2025.

“Hopefully this (Lions head coach) award will be his next and we'll be more than happy with how we handle it,” Nucifora said. . «As for the length of time he might be away from us, I think that can still be discussed if that happens.»

Gatland, writing in his Telegraph Sport column, has already backed the former England defense coach as his successor after he revealed last month that he had decided not to put his name forward for the job having managed the Lions in 2013, 2017 and 2017. 2021 Tours and 2009 Tour Assistant Coach

“Andy Farrell needs my support in this job,” Gatland wrote. “You cannot deny what Ireland has achieved as a nation over the last few years and you are beginning to see the fruits of alignment between the Irish provinces and the union. There is no doubt that Andy did a fantastic job.”

Farrell, 48, is a standout candidate, having recently been named World Rugby Coach of the Year. He has overseen Ireland's rise to the top of the world rankings this year with a national record 17 Test wins, including a Grand Slam last season that ended narrowly with New Zealand's defeat in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The 2-1 tour series win over New Zealand in the summer of 2022 was another standout moment. Farrell also already has a fantastic career with the Lions, having been appointed defense coach by Gatland in 2013 and 2017 and was due to feature on the 2021 tour but was left out as he had just started as Ireland head coach.

Simon Easterby. He is expected to serve as interim head coach during Farrell's sabbatical, which could begin as early as the autumn Test series following Ireland's tour of South Africa this summer.

«I think Andy is an outstanding coach.» , Nucifora added. . “His people management skills are second to none. His ability to get the best out of staff and players, the way he brings the group together, brings people together, but he is also able to constantly push people to improve and improve.

“I think given that skill set, he, obviously has a rugby IQ, but he also has the softer skills needed to get the best out of people. It's not easy to find someone who has such a well-rounded set of skills that you need at this level of the game. So we’re very lucky to have him.” The same will happen with Leos.