THE ARRIVAL OF ANDY FARRELL
IT CAME as a big surprise when the IRFU announced the appointment of Andy Farrell as Schmidt’s defence coach in January 2016.
This was only months after the World Cup disaster Farrell had endured with England, when he was accused of exercising too much influence in team selection.
When the shock of Farrell’s arrival in Ireland cleared, it was replaced by a sense of ambivalence. Farrell had a short but rich coaching pedigree that included four seasons with England, an English Premiership with Saracens, and the successful 2013 Lions tour.
His part in England’s World Cup implosion was the one obvious blight on his record, and it was extensively examined. But, as Stuart Lancaster has proved at Leinster, judging a coach on the decisions they make in the highly pressurised environment of a home World Cup, does not necessarily lead to a complete impression of their abilities.
Farrell has been a huge success with Ireland, which speaks to Schmidt’s far-sightedness in appointing him. The Ireland head coach is the undisputed leader of the group, but in involving Farrell, he was welcoming in a
strong, influential character. They have worked well together, to the point that New Zealand were reduced to two penalties and a drop goal in scrambling for scores last Saturday.
In the days before that match, Farrell was asked about speculation he could succeed Schmidt. He batted it away and said he was happy with his current responsibilities.
But Farrell will be the leading candidate, along with Lancaster, should Schmidt bring his Ireland tenure to a close after the World Cup next year.
It was reported in these pages recently that Farrell declined the opportunity to re-join the England coaching group under Eddie Jones at the end of last season. He signed a new contract in May taking him up to 2020. By then, he could be running the show — thanks to Schmidt.