'Everyone's come bouncing into camp' says Simon Easterby as Ireland prepare for Six Nations defence

GLADIATORS, READY: Ireland head coach Simon Easterby at the launch of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship at the Colosseum in Rome. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Simon Easterby believes Ireland are better placed to hit the ground running in this season’s Guinness Six Nations than they were last November after the interim head coach welcomed his players into camp for the first time.

With Andy Farrell stepping back from the head coach role for eight months to concentrate on a similar role with the British & Irish Lions ahead of their summer tour to Australia, defence coach Easterby has been tasked with leading Ireland in their bid for a historic third title in a row.