'Win a third,' Simon Easterby sets Six Nations challenge for Ireland's gladiators

Easterby went full Maximus in Rome when asked how he would follow back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

GLADIATORS, READY: Ireland’s Caelan Doris and 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

A photo shoot in the Colosseum followed by a flex from the champions, Ireland went into gladiatorial mode as the 2025 Guinness Six Nations was launched in the Italian capital on Tuesday.

Simon Easterby may be the interim Ireland head coach but as the man handed the reins in the temporary absence of the British & Irish Lions-bound Andy Farrell, he went full Maximus when asked how he would follow back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.