Ireland put their World Cup disappointment firmly behind them as kicked off their Grand Slam defence in style with a 38-17 win against France in Marseille. The defending Guinness Six Nations champions looked right back to their best as they pulled the French apart on home soil, with bonus-point win just Ireland’s fourth victory away to the French in 40 years.
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Racing 92 have announced the signing of England and Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell at the end of the season. The French Top 14 side said Farrell has signed a two-year deal starting on 1 July. The 32-year-old Saracens captain has spent his whole career at the StoneX Stadium having made his debut aged 17.
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Joe Schmidt is set to replace Eddie Jones as head coach of Australia with an official announcement expected in the coming days. Schmidt’s appointment will raise the tantalising prospect of a blockbuster summer 2025 when the British and Irish Lions, coached by his former Ireland mentee Andy Farrell, tour the country.
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Peter O’Mahony has been named as Ireland captain for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations. The announcement came as head coach Andy Farrell named a 34-man squad for the tournament, which begins on 2 February against France in Marseille. The 34-year-old Munster back row, who has 101 Ireland caps, is currently contracted with the IRFU until the end of the summer.
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Andy Farrell has been appointed head coach of the British and Irish Lions for the 2025 tour to Australia. The Englishman, currently coaching Ireland, succeeds Warren Gatland in the role, having served as his assistant for the 2013 and 2017 Lions series. Farrell, 48, has led Ireland to a first series win in New Zealand and a Six Nations Grand Slam since taking charge in 2019.
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