Simon Easterby has stepped into a temporary yet significant role, overseeing Ireland’s rugby team while Andy Farrell is away. It’s a bit like house-minding—he has the run of the place, but the owner is still keeping an eye on things. Farrell, not one to micromanage, has built something substantial, and it makes sense that he’d want to check in. Easterby, in turn, will likely welcome the support, given the unique opportunity at hand: guiding Ireland to a historic third consecutive Six Nations title.
The last time Ireland found themselves in a similar position was in 2016 under Joe Schmidt. Back then, Schmidt had a habit of highlighting every possible challenge before a game, often talking up the opposition to the point where expectations had to be carefully managed. If a lesser-known team were next on the schedule, he would meticulously name players most had never heard of, emphasizing their strengths to build a narrative of doubt.
In fairness, he had reasons to be cautious. Ireland had suffered a heavy defeat to Argentina in the 2015 World Cup, Paul O’Connell had retired, and squad depth was uncertain. The concern was real, not just a rhetorical exercise. There was little to suggest a major triumph was on the horizon.
Now, in 2025, Ireland is in a very different place. Farrell has been instrumental in reshaping the team, tightening its structure while allowing players the freedom to express themselves. The challenge for Easterby is to maintain that balance in Farrell’s absence.
It’s not just Easterby who finds himself navigating unfamiliar territory. David Humphreys, ten months into his role as the IRFU’s director of high performance, has inherited a system that has both strengths and challenges. Ireland took longer than some of their rivals to invest in high-performance structures, but the groundwork laid by his predecessor has created a solid foundation. Compared to his time in Australia, the previous director would likely look back on his tenure in Ireland with satisfaction.
Still, there is plenty to address. One glaring issue is the increasing dominance of Leinster in Ireland’s national squad. In 2016, when Schmidt named his Six Nations squad, 17 Leinster players featured. Fast-forward to 2025, and Easterby’s selection includes 23 Leinster players, while Munster and Connacht have five each, and Ulster just three.
Humphreys is keen to elevate the other three provinces without disrupting Leinster’s success, a delicate balancing act. The schools system in South Dublin continuously produces top-tier players, largely because rugby is the primary sport in that region. This is evident in the squad selected to face England, where 14 of the 23 players came through Leinster’s schools system. By contrast, Munster contributed two, while Ulster and Connacht had one each. The remaining five players developed their game in New Zealand or Australia.
Does this imbalance matter when Ireland currently sits second in the world rankings, the highest of the home nations? It does if the goal is to maintain competitive provincial rivalries and ensure a diverse talent pipeline for the national team.
This lack of variety is something Humphreys has acknowledged. While Ireland’s rugby system is well-structured and effective, it tends to be homogenous. At his initial press conference last year, he admitted that the Irish game lacks a certain X-factor. However, he had no immediate plan to address it.
Despite this, Ireland’s rugby success over the past two decades has been built on a strong work ethic, intelligent players, and a well-funded system. The IRFU, particularly in recent years, has been willing to invest in development, and it has paid off.
So, as Easterby oversees the squad in Farrell’s absence, he’s stepping into a well-maintained house with a strong foundation. There won’t be any major issues upon Farrell’s return, but perhaps a bit of a refresh could take things to the next level.
