Business as usual for Ireland despite Farrell absence, insists forwards coach O'Connell 

The defending champions kick off their championship campaign against England a week on Saturday in Dublin with Farrell having stepped back to begin his temporary tenure as British & Irish Lions head coach for this summer’s tour to Australia.

NO CHANGE: Forwards coach Paul O'Connell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at The Campus in Quinta da Lago. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Paul O’Connell has insisted it is business as usual for Ireland as they prepare for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations in the absence of head coach Andy Farrell with a squad showing a clean bill of health.

The defending champions, seeking a historic first Six Nations three-in-a-row, kick off their championship campaign against England a week on Saturday in Dublin with Farrell having stepped back to begin his temporary tenure as British & Irish Lions head coach for this summer’s tour to Australia.