Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is not interested in returning to the England training setup.
Andy Farrell says he “loves life” as Ireland head coach and is not interested in seeking a coaching role with England ahead of the two sides’ Six Nations meeting on Saturday.
Farrell’s team is on the verge of winning a Grand Slam, needing to beat his native country at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, while continuing to improve his coaching reputation.
The 47-year-old crossed the Irish Sea to become Joe Schmidt’s defense coach in 2016 after leaving a similar role with England following the arrival of Eddie Jones.
Since taking over from Schmidt as head coach after the 2019 World Cup, Farrell has led Ireland to an impressive series victory in New Zealand and to the top of the world rankings.
Ireland celebrate after their famous series win over New Zealand last summer
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney said following Ireland’s historic success over the All Blacks last summer that Farrell was “highly respected” amid a recruitment drive to identify Jones’ successor as England boss. .
Farrell subsequently extended his Ireland contract until 2025 and has no regrets leaving his homeland.
“When you make a decision, you commit and that’s it,” he said. “And, you know, I’m very lucky that it wasn’t just me who got engaged, but also my wife and kids.
“Because whether you think it’s a close flight or connected or whatever with the UK, he’s still living abroad. It’s a big move, you know, kids out of school.”
“That kind of commitment is something I will never forget from my family…I will be forever grateful.”
Asked if he had felt the need to look for a job at home, Farrell replied: “No, why would we? We love it here. We love life here and the rugby is pretty good too.”
Farrell is set to take on a host of familiar faces in a sold-out Aviva Stadium on St. Patrick’s weekend. His son, Owen Farrell, will captain an England team led by his former Saracens co-captain and international teammate Steve Borthwick.
Farrell has backed Borthwick to finally make England take a shot after a difficult start that brought Calcutta Cup disappointment against Scotland and a 53-10 thrashing at the hands of France last weekend.
“Obviously we are very aware of each other’s characteristics,” Farrell said of Borthwick, who was another coach on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
“He’s an exceptional coach. When I worked with him on the Lions, I mean, the proof is in the pudding, isn’t it? Ask the players, they’re the people that matter and, to a man, they were all excited to come back. the lions tour
“Steve is not resting on his laurels either. He will also enjoy this challenge, to make sure he improves as a manager, and there is no doubt that he will do well for England.”
Owen Farrell will return as fly half for England in their final Six Nations game against Ireland.
Owen Farrell is back in the England number 10 shirt after being dropped for the France match and will go head-to-head with veteran Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, who is preparing for his final Six Nations match before retire after the autumn World Cup.
“I think Owen and Johnny are pretty similar when it comes to drive, fighting and desire,” Andy Farrell said.
“They are both super competitors and they will make sure their team has the same mentality as well. That’s why I said England will be extremely dangerous this weekend because of a mentality like that.”
Farrell: Ireland must keep calm in Grand Slam chase
Farrell has urged his players to keep a calm temper on Saturday amid the intense pressure of playing for the Grand Slam.
The hosts have never before won a Grand Slam in the Irish capital, their 1948, 2009 and 2018 triumphs clinching them in Belfast, Cardiff and London respectively.
Ireland will be hoping to claim their first Grand Slam victory in Dublin, at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
“All these things that you [the media] they’re going to be writing, it all becomes part of the circus, you know, managing all of that,” Farrell said.
“But really, anyone who has ever played in a big game, when you cross that white line, all bets are off. It’s time to do business, isn’t it?”
“All the emotion wears off after the first five minutes anyway and then you have to be at your best.
“For me, despair is a disease. You want to try to stay away from it.”
“You can’t be precise if you’re desperate. Being calm enough to be yourself and controlled enough to be precise when it matters is a temperament we all chase.”
Farrell added: “It’s something we’ve talked about since day one that hasn’t been done here.” [in Dublin].
“We’ve earned the right to try, so we know how much it means to the Irish people, and their support has been incredible for us.
“I hope there’s a bit of a two-way thing on Saturday where we try to catch them. [the crowd] going and they try to make us go too. You can feel the buzz.
“That’s what we’ve done, we’ve put ourselves in a position to have a shot at this and it’s something we’ve been upfront about from the start, which is quite nice.”
“Now that we’re here, we have to deliver. The expectation of making sure the best is saved for last is key for us.”
