The IRFU have announced the appointment of former England assistant coach Andy Farrell as Ireland new Defence Coach. He'll take up the job after the Six Nations.
Farrell will succeed Les Kiss, who left the role to take the post as Ulster's Director of Rugby after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Farrell's contract with the IRFU commences ahead of the tour of South Africa in June and will run until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Joe Schmidt's current deal will expire in 2017. Farrell had been working as Assistant Coach with England from 2011 to 2015, he was axed by the England RFU after Eddie Jones was appointed as head coach.
Farrell's appointment will come as a shock to fans, players and pundits. The former Saracens coach is looking forward to working with the Irish rugby team, "To have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me."
"With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can't wait to get started."
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is pleased to welcome Farrell to the set up: "It's great to have Andy coming into our coaching team.
"The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us."
