David Humphreys: Andy Farrell Lions sabbatical an 'exciting opportunity' for someone to step up

Humphreys has not discounted bringing in assistance from the provinces to complete the Six Nations coaching team.

LIONS LEADER: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Picture: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

David Humphreys has described Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions sabbatical next season as an “exciting opportunity” for whoever takes his place as an interim Ireland head coach to stake their claim to succeed the throne.

Farrell, who will next week take a 35-man squad to South Africa for a two-Test series against the world-champion Springboks, has led Ireland to a Six Nations Triple Crown and historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022, then the 2023 Grand Slam and a successful championship title defence in 2024.