Andy Farrell is to love life Ireland and has no interest in chasing a coaching role England as he tries to clinch his Grand Slam victory against his homeland.
47-year-old crossed the bridge irish sea He will become Joe Schmidt’s defensive coach in 2016, following the arrival of Eddie Jones and his departure from a similar role with England.
Since replacing Schmidt as head coach after the 2019 World Cup, he has decisively enhanced his coaching reputation in Dublin, leading Ireland to a stunning streak against New Zealand, top of the world rankings and on the verge of a Guinness Six Nations clean sweep.
Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney said after his historic tour success in New Zealand last summer, Farrell was “highly respected” during a recruitment campaign to name Jones’ successor as England boss.
Farrell later extended his Irish contract until 2025, and while he has no regrets about leaving his homeland, he feels “forever grateful” for the sacrifices his uprooted family has made.
“When you make a decision, you make a promise and that’s it,” he said. “And you know, I’m very lucky that I wasn’t the only one making the commitment, I had my wife and kids as well.
“Because whether it’s a flight close to the UK, connecting or whatever, he still lives abroad. It’s a big move, you know, getting kids kicked out of school.
Why (Leave Ireland)? We love this place. We love life here and rugby is pretty good too.
Andy Farrell
“It was a promise made by the family. And looking back, I am forever grateful for showing me that commitment, because it was just all because of me, right?
“We’ve raised the bar and the kids have moved away from their friends etc and that kind of commitment is something I will never forget from my family.”
When asked if he felt the urge to find a job at home, he replied, “No, why would we want to? We love it here. We love life here and rugby is pretty good too.”
Farrell prepares to meet a host of familiar faces at a sold-out Aviva Stadium on St Patrick’s weekend.
His son, Owen Farrell, will captain an England team led by former Saracens co-captain and international teammate Steve Borthwick.
Farrell backed Borthwick to secure England’s dismissal after a rough start against Scotland that led to Calcutta Cup disappointment and France’s drunkenness.
“Obviously we’re very aware of each other’s traits,” Farrell said of Borthwick, who was their coach on the 2017 British and Irish Lions’ New Zealand tour.
“He is an outstanding coach. When I worked with him at Lions, I mean, the proof is in the pudding, right? Ask the players, the point is, everyone was going crazy for them and a guy coming back from the Lions tour.
Steve doesn’t trust his achievements either. He will also enjoy this challenge to make sure he is better as a manager and there is no doubt he will do well in England.”
Farrell junior is back in England’s #10 jersey after being relegated for a match against France and will go head-to-head with the senior Irish captain. johnny sextonHe is gearing up for his last Six Nations game before retiring after the fall World Cup.
“I think Owen and Johnny are pretty similar in terms of drive, fight, and desire,” Andy Farrell said.
“Both are super opponents and they will make sure their teams have the same mentality. That’s why I said England would be very dangerous this weekend because of that mentality.”