Ireland have confirmed their full coaching line-up ahead of their summer tour, with Andy Farrell, Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman all away with the British and Irish Lions. 

Iconic lock forward Paul O’Connell had already been confirmed as interim head coach, but he will be joined by assistants Denis Leamy, Mike Prendergast and Colm Tucker for their Tests against Georgia and Portugal later this year.

Ireland confirm coaching staff for summer tour

Commenting on the news, O’Connell said: “I am honoured to accept the interim position of Head Coach for the forthcoming summer tour to Georgia and Portugal and it promises to be an important series of matches played against unfamiliar opponents in testing conditions.

“With a busy schedule of international rugby this summer, these two Tests will provide us with further opportunities to assess and develop the competition levels within the squad.

“I am excited to work with a coaching team who I know well individually and are hugely motivated to deliver success to Ireland and look forward to putting our plans in place over the coming weeks.”

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IRFU Performance Director, David Humphreys, added: “We’re delighted that Paul has accepted this role and believe that his elevation ensures continuity within the Men’s coaching team. It will also mark an important step in his coaching career as we look ahead to an exciting summer schedule.”

“He will be assisted by Denis (Leamy), Mike (Prendergast) and Cullie (Tucker) who have all been in Ireland camp at different points over the last number of months and their selections is another positive progression in their coaching careers and reasserts the IRFU’s commitment to developing a pathway for Irish coaches.”

Leamy and Prendergast both join O’Connell’s ticket from Munster, while Tucker joins from Connacht.

Meanwhile, ex-Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has missed out despite being repeatedly linked with a more influential role after working as a consultant during the Six Nations.

The squad will be announced in mid-June, after the British and Irish Lions squad announcement on 8th May. They begin their summer campaign against Georgua on 30th June, before facing Portugal on 12th July.

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