'It's great news all round' - Nucifora delighted with Farrell's contract extension

The Ireland boss will plan for life after Mike Catt's departure however. 

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora on Thursday. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Andy Farrell’s new contract extension to stay as Ireland men’s team head coach has been described as “great news for Irish rugby” by IRFU performance director David Nucifora but Mike Catt’s exit at the end of the season means the Ireland boss is looking for a new attack coach.

The IRFU announced the new deal for the former rugby league icon on Thursday, keeping the man who succeeded Joe Schmidt following the 2019 World Cup in place through to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Farrell, 48, was already contracted to 2025 but the IRFU have now secured the much sought-after talents of a Grand Slam-winning Test boss. Catt, however, whom Farrell added to his coaching staff when he was promoted from defence coach ahead of the 2020 Six Nations, is set to leave his position at the end of Ireland’s tour to world champions South Africa next July.

Farrell’s contract extension comes two months after Ireland narrowly lost their World Cup quarter-final to New Zealand in Paris but the Englishman has plenty of credit in the bank. He took time to transform Ireland's playing style, implementing a more expansive attacking style in tandem with Catt, and more player-inclusive environment. After some gradual development from his appointment over his first two years in the role, Ireland landed a Six Nations Triple Crown in 2022 followed by a historic Test series win in New Zealand that summer.

Their second Test victory over the All Blacks on their home soil in Dunedin was a first and kickstarted a national record 17-Test winning run which included the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam and only ended with that World Cup quarter-final defeat.

Speaking on Thursday at the start of his annual media briefing, Nucifora said of the new contract: “It's great news for Irish rugby, the fact that Andy Farrell has signed an extension through to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“Obviously Andy has proven himself to be a world class coach and has done an outstanding coach after he took over after the 2019 World Cup.

“I think for Irish rugby, the continuity that he'll bring over the next four years gives a stability and certainty to build on the established platforms that are already there, so we're really fortunate and excited that it's going to continue on. It's great news all round.” 

Farrell’s “softer skills” came in for particular praise from the Performance Director.

“I think Andy is an outstanding coach. His man management skills are second to none. His ability to get the best out of staff and players, the way he brings the group together, gets people on the same page but with the ability to constantly challenge people to improve and better themselves.

“I think that skill set, he’s obviously got the rugby intellect but he also has the softer skills you need to be able to get the best out of people. That’s not easy to find someone who has that all-round set of skills that you need at this level of the game. So we’re very fortunate to have him.” Nucifora added that Farrell’s potential appointment as head coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2025 would be facilitated. The role has in recent years demanded a year’s preparation with former incumbent Warren Gatland allowed a 12-month sabbatical by the Welsh Rugby Union ahead of the 2013 and 2017 tours.

“We’d be ecstatic if Andy was named coach of the Lions so hopefully that accolade is the next one for him and we’d be more than comfortable with how deal with it.

“As far as the period of time he might be away from us, that’s still something I think can be discussed if this happens.” 

On Catt’s decision to bring his tenure to a close after four years, the IRFU performance director added: “With regards to the coaching staff, going forward, all of our coaches, bar Mike Catt, are contracted to at least the 2025 season. Mike will be leaving us at the completion of this season. He will be doing the Six Nations and the July tour.

“Mike's made the decision that his family has moved back to England, and I want to thank Mike for the work and the way he's gone about his job over the last four years. He's been an unbelievable contributor to Irish rugby and we're going to be sad to see him move on.

“We are close to reaching an agreement with his replacement, and we'll be able to announce that in the coming weeks.”