Andy Farrell on a possible return to the England coaching set-up: “No, why would we? We love it here. We’re loving life here and the rugby’s pretty good as well”; Ireland will complete a Grand Slam in the Six Nations if they beat England in Dublin on Saturday
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 17/03/23 10:43am
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is not interested into a return to the England coaching set-up
Andy Farrell says he is “loving life” as head coach of Ireland and is not interested in chasing a coaching role back with England ahead of the two sides’ meeting in the Six Nations this Saturday.
Farrell’s side are on the brink of clinching a Grand Slam, needing to beat his his native country at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, as he continues to enhance his coaching reputation.
The 47-year-old crossed the Irish Sea to become Joe Schmidt’s defence coach in 2016 in the aftermath of departing a similar role with England following the arrival of Eddie Jones.
Since replacing Schmidt as head coach following the 2019 World Cup, Farrell has led Ireland to a stunning series win 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 on the back of Ireland’s historic success over the All Blacks last summer that Farrell was “very highly regarded” amid a recruitment drive to identify Jones’ successor as England boss.
Farrell subsequently extended his Ireland contract to 2025 and has no regrets about 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 that was committing, it was my wife and kids as well.
“Because whether you think it’s a close flight or connected or whatever to the UK, it’s still living abroad. It is a big move, you know, kids out of school.
“That type of commitment is something that I’ll never for …