Former Munster winger Zebo also took aim at departing coach Joe Schmidt's team selection, saying that players "playing the best rugby of their careers" were overlooked.

Munster lock Jean Kleyn has been handed a Test debut for Ireland and a chance to stake his claim for a World Cup squad berth as Joe Schmidt’s side play the first of four warm-up matches against Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

Andy Farrell admitted he would have had ‘regrets’ had he not accepted the opportunity to be Ireland’s next head coach.

The identity of Stuart Lancaster's employer this time next year remains up for debate.

Andy Farrell’s upcoming elevation to the role of Ireland head coach has been universally welcomed on these shores and yet no amount of succession planning can override the usual raft of known unknowns.

The Leinster and Ireland full-back knows just how good Stuart Lancaster has been for his club so he understands just what an addition he would be to Andy Farrell’s Ireland set-up were he co-opted into the national set-up after the World Cup.

Welcome Mick McCarthy (again). And welcome Andy Farrell (soon).

The list of feats achieved by Ireland under the watch of Joe Schmidt might have been enough to send any hopeful successors to his position running swiftly in the opposite direction. Yet Andy Farrell has never been the type to shirk the challenge.

The next Ireland coaching ticket?

Andy Farrell has set the tone for Ireland’s meeting with Wales this Saturday by labelling the side’s last quarter performance against Italy as unacceptable.

Andy Farrell believes the British & Irish Lions are relishing the challenge of shutting down a prolific New Zealand attack, just as they have done to the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks.

The All Blacks may be once bitten, but that certainly won’t make them twice shy, according to Andy Farrell.

The incoming Ireland defence coach will work with the province for the next four months as they attempt to reverse a worrying slide in form.

David Wallace believes Munster need to look beyond the dressing room walls for answers to their crisis, with former head coach Declan Kidney and new Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell two of the men he feels could make a difference at the struggling province.

Andy Farrell has said that he "can't wait to get started" after being appointed as Ireland defence coach.

When news broke of Andy Farrell’s appointment as Ireland’s new defence coach, there were two initial reactions.

Forget the debacle that was England’s World Cup campaign, Ireland believe that in landing Andy Farrell as their new defence coach, they have staged a coup in hiring a British & Irish Lions series winner.

"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.”

England’s decision to axe assistant coach Andy Farrell was sparked by heavy criticism from senior players in the post-World Cup review.

Lancaster has angrily rejected the suggestion that Andy Farrell pushed for his son Owen to be picked.

Andy Farrell remembers Croke Park all too well, writes Julian Bennetts.