IRFU hoping things will be different this time around

NEWS of Andy Farrell’s recent contract extension has been greeted with almost universal approval in the past couple of days. Tying down the Ireland head coach, who guided the national team to a historic series victory in New Zealand, on a two-year contract extension made a lot of sense.

This squad is travelling well and is confident of making a big impact at next year’s World Cup. Farrell’s stock is high at the moment and it could sky-rocket next year if Ireland make waves in France.

It’s no secret that the RFU have been eyeing up their former employee for quite some time. Eddie Jones is leaving his post after the tournament in 2023 and Farrell looked tailor-made to succeed the

Australian. England are not short of a few quid either. Heading them off at the pass was the IRFU’s top priority. Waiting until the World Cup and seeing how things panned out would not have been a shrewd move, apparently.

So, this deal makes sense for everyone involved in Team Ireland, right? It’s not like the IRFU have made errors of judgement in the past or anything…

It might be time for a quick history lesson. Eddie O’Sullivan and Declan Kidney were both offered contract extensions beyond their looming World Cup assignments in 2007 and 2011. The downturn in Ireland’s fortunes was seismic on both occasions and neither made it to the end of their respective tenures.

For all of Ireland’s recent achievements, the World Cup remains the ultimate acid test. It’s the toughest gig on the international scene. Just ask Joe Schmidt. Stuart Lancaster knows all about that. As does Farrell.

There’s also the issue of longevity. For all of Farrell’s qualities, he will have been involved in this Ireland set-up – between stints in defence and as head coach – for almost a decade by 2025.

Here’s hoping this calculated gamble from the IRFU pays off down the road.