Farrell focused on Schmidt reunion, Lions sabbatical 'has not been a distraction'

The Ireland head coach will bow out, for now, with a game against the Wallabies this weekend. 

MANE MEN: Ireland's Caelan Doris and Head Coach Andy Farrell talking to the media after the Fiji match. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Andy Farrell insisted his upcoming sabbatical as British & Irish Lions head coach for next summer’s tour to Australia will not be a distraction as he looked forward to the Wallabies arriving in Dublin led by former boss Joe Schmidt.

Ireland will complete their Autumn Nations Series campaign at Aviva Stadium this Saturday when former head coach Schmidt’s Australia provide the opposition for the IRFU’s 150th Anniversary match. It will be Farrell’s final game before handing the Ireland reins to defence coach Simon Easterby for the team’s bid for a third Guinness Six Nations title in a row in the February as he embarks on his temporary tenure with the Lions and a three-Test series with the Wallabies.