Ireland and England head coaches go back a long way

From team-mates and co-captains at Saracens, to a player-coach relationship and then fellow coaches on the Lions tour back in 2017.

FRIEND'S REUNITED: Head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell’s long-standing rugby relationship takes a step into yet another new phase on Saturday when the former’s England team visit Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

From team-mates and co-captains at Saracens, to a player-coach relationship and then fellow coaches on the 2017 Lions tour, the two head coaches in opposing dressing rooms this Saturday afternoon go back a long way, despite parallel backgrounds in league and union.