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November 27, 2018

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Home » Sports » Rugby

Farrell to replace Schmidt as Irish coach post-WCup

Source: AFP | 00:17 UTC+8 November 27, 2018 | Print Edition

World coach of the year Joe Schmidt is to step down as Ireland handler after next year’s World Cup and be replaced by defense coach Andy Farrell, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced yesterday.

The 53-year-old New Zealander — named coach of the year on Sunday — has guided the Irish to unprecedented success in his tenure since taking over the reins of a demoralized outfit in 2013.

Under him they have won three Six Nations titles — including this year’s Grand Slam — and two historic wins over world champion New Zealand, including a first ever win over the All Blacks on Irish soil in an epic 16-9 victory earlier this month.

Schmidt will next year hope to set right the one major disappointment in his reign — a loss to Argentina in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinals — and deliver the Webb Ellis trophy to Ireland for the first time.

Schmidt, who was hired as Ireland coach on the back of a successful spell at Irish province Leinster winning successive European Cups (2011/12), will he says take time out from coaching to be with his family. “I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritize family commitments after the RWC in 2019,” Schmidt said.

Farrell, a former England rugby league great who switched codes and represented England in union as well, has been instrumental also in Ireland’s success since being hired in 2016.

The 43-year-old — whose son Owen is England flyhalf — has been Ireland’s gain and his home country’s loss.

Eddie Jones considered him surplus to requirements as defense coach on taking over following the 2015 World Cup debacle which saw hosts England crash out in the group stage.

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