Andy Farrell has extended his contract as Ireland head coach until after the next Rugby World Cup in 2027.
With his previous contract expiring in 2025 the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have decided to give him another opportunity to win the William Webb Ellis Cup, after Ireland’s long quarter-final hoodoo continued this year as they were beaten by New Zealand in October.
Though a devastating exit, the defeat had followed a 17-match winning streak. It was Ireland’s longest victorious run ever and the third-longest in the history of test match rugby, and had seen Ireland become the first team in 28 years to win a series against New Zealand and win only their fourth ever Six Nations Grand Slam.
Farrell has cemented Ireland as one of the top rugby nations in the world, having previously been part of their rise under Joe Schmidt after he’d joined the former head coach’s staff in 2016.
Farrell said: “Coaching Ireland 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.
“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 recent Ireland U20 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.”
With a hugely impressive 35 wins from his 43 games in charge Farrell is well clear in having the highest win percentage of any permanent Ireland coach, with his 81.4 per cent winning rate more than nine ahead of his closest rival – predecessor Schmidt.
Despite the early exit on the significantly more difficult half of the World Cup draw, Farrell was rewarded for a strong 2023 with World Rugby’s Coach of the Year award, and IRFU performance director David Nucifora praised the coach’s consistency.
“Over the course of the last four years Andy has helped drive the highest standards for the men’s national team,” he said.
“It’s testament to the positive environment which he and his backroom team have fostered that Ireland has enjoyed such a sustained period of success in recent times.”
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