Andy Farrell: 'I'm really proud of the victory because it was hard-fought in the end against a bit of adversity' 

“ I'm not leaving. What do you mean I'm leaving? I live in Sandymount, 10 minutes away – I'm not going anywhere."

MEET AGAIN: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, left, and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt will meet again next summer for the Lions Tour to Australia. Picture:  Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell insisted he would celebrate Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series campaign and the milestones reached this month before turning his attention to his next nine months on sabbatical with the British & Irish Lions.

Farrell signed off on Ireland head coaching duties with a hard-fought 22-19 victory over Joe Schmidt’s Australia at Aviva Stadium in the IRFU’s 150th Anniversary match on Saturday that also saw Cian Healy become his country’s record appearance maker, passing Brian O’Driscoll for his 134th cap when he came off the bench on 67 minutes.