Andy Farrell signs new IRFU contract until 2031

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has signed a new contract with the IRFU until 2031.

Farrell’s previous deal – agreed in December 2023 – was due to run until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but that is now extended by four years until the 2031 tournament, to be hosted by the USA.

In recent months, Farrell has been linked to both the England job and a possible return to Saracens – but he nearly guided Ireland to what had appeared an unlikely Six Nations in the spring and he has now committed his future to Ireland.

“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Irish Rugby,” Farrell told the IRFU.

“It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of players and staff, and to represent the supporters whose passion and unwavering support drive this team forward and inspire us every time we take the field.

“What excites me most is the increasing strength and investment in pathways and the quality of talent coming through.

“There is a real confidence in the system that has been built across the provinces and age-grade programmes, and I believe with sustained effort that the best is yet to come.”

The extension means that Farrell’s association with the side is set to last 15 years having first come in as a defence coach after the 2016 Six Nations.

Then head coach Joe Schmidt stepped down after the 2019 World Cup with Farrell replacing him, and he has stayed there since – apart from a spell last year when Simon Easterby acted as interim head coach role given’s Farrell commitments to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their tour of Australia. With Easterby then added to the Lions’ coaching ticket, Paul O’Connell then stepped in on a temporary basis for the summer tour of Georgia and Portugal.

Farrell has guided Ireland to two Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2023.

The side came agonisingly close to winning a third title under his guidance in 2026 only for Thomas Ramos to win a title-clinching penalty with the clock in the red as France beat England 48-46 on the final day in March.