Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning coaching team will be sticking together through to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan after a quartet of staff signed contract extensions.
Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby, defence coach Andy Farrell, scrum coach Greg Feek and skills coach Richie Murphy have all put pen to paper on new deals.
They will continue with the national team, who won the NatWest 6 Nations earlier this year, through the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, said: “We have a world-class coaching group that has driven and sustained high levels of performance on the international stage.
“They also support the work of the provinces with their technical expertise and play an important role in the development of young players on the pathway to international honours.”
Easterby joined the Ireland coaching ticket in 2015 having previously held the position of head coach at Llanelli Scarlets. Easterby has extended his IRFU contract to June 2020.
Farrell, who was England’s defence coach for four years and joined Warren Gatland’s set-up for the British & Irish Lions in 2017, will remain with the IRFU to June 2020.
Meanwhile, former Leinster coach Murphy, who joined the national coaching group in 2014, has also extended his role as national skills and kicking coach to June 2020.
Feek joined the national coaching group on a full-time basis in 2014 having previously worked with Leinster and with the national team on a consultancy basis.
He is set to take up a position with Japanese club side Ricoh in the coming weeks but will continue in his Ireland role to the completion of the Rugby World Cup.
