IRISH RUGBY HAVE today announced that Andy Farrell will replace Les Kiss as Ireland defence coach on a three and a half year contact, but not until after this year’s Six Nations.

The rugby league great worked as defence coach for the Lions under Warren Gatland and England under Stuart Lancaster from 2011 until the coaching ticket was removed after a poor Rugby World Cup.

Kiss departed his role with Ireland at the same time to take up the role of Ulster head coach having committed to the post a year earlier.

Farrell will be contracted to the IRFU from this summer’s tour of South Africa through to the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s great to have Andy coming into our coaching team,” says Schmidt.

The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us.”

Farrell meanwhile, spoke of his excitement about working with Ireland’s ‘fantastic crop of youngsters’.

“To have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me.

“With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can’t wait to get started.”

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