IRFU performance director David Humphreys has 'absolutely no doubt' about Simon Easterby as he prepares to lead Ireland in this year's Six Nations in Andy Farrell's absence.
Irish Rugby Football Union performance director David Humphreys says he has "absolutely no doubt" about Simon Easterby as he prepares to lead Ireland in this year's Six Nations in head coach Andy Farrell's absence.
"With who Andy is and what he's achieved, of course any team is going to be, not necessarily weakened, but is going to miss the influence he had," Humphreys told BBC Sport NI. However, having opened the series with a disappointing defeat by the All Blacks, Ireland struggled to produce their best rugby in the wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
As part of his role, Humphreys - who won 72 caps for Ireland and captained Ulster to the European Cup in 1999 - says he wants to return all four Irish provincial teams to the "top end of Europe". Leinster also provide the majority of players to the Irish national team, with 23 of Easterby's 36-man Six Nations squad selected from Leo Cullen's side.
"For the long-term success of Irish rugby, four competitive provinces, we have to get to that point."
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