Farrell will temporarily depart his head coach role to take charge of the British and Irish Lions next year.
Andy Farrell anticipates a “seamless” transfer in the Ireland camp during his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions.
Following Saturday’s showdown with Joe Schmidt’s Australia, Farrell will temporarily step down as head coach to manage next year’s Lions series against the same nation.
Simon Easterby, the defense coach who oversaw two Emerging Ireland tours of South Africa, is expected to take interim leadership of the side and lead them through their Guinness Six Nations championship defence and subsequent summer tour.
“We’ve been working together long enough now to agree on how this team needs to be driven forward with us all involved,” Farrell said of his impending departure.
“All of our ideas over the years will continue. Simon is an incredibly hard worker and the ideal candidate for the task of leading from the front.
“We’ve had the experience there and we’ve seen the credentials there and we know it’s going to be a seamless one.”
When asked about the importance of signing off triumphant, Farrell replied, “Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought.
“The only thing that drives me on is planning for the future of this team and that’s only been at the forefront of my mind, certainly over the last six months anyway.”It just so happens that we’re here on the last day of a huge game, but what happens next will happen. We’ll turn the page when we get to it.”
Ireland began November with a disappointing 23-13 loss to New Zealand before rebounding with a nail-biting 22-19 victory over Argentina and a dominating 52-17 destruction of Fiji.
The Wallabies, led by former Ireland coach Schmidt, will pay a visit to commemorate 150 years of Irish rugby.
Farrell feels his team to finish the month on a high note against Scotland, who defeated England and Wales the previous Saturday.
When asked what he would like to see from his team, the Englishman responded, “Our best performance of the autumn and maybe more, hopefully,”
“Isn’t that what you always hope for? To progress.
“Australia is undoubtedly progressing. “I believe they have recovered their DNA.”
Farrell has chosen to keep rookie fly-half Sam Prendergast over the returning Jack Crowley.
Crowley, who was rested against Fiji, has been Ireland’s first-choice number ten since Johnny Sexton retired from the World Cup last year.
“This isn’t just throwing someone in and hoping for the best,” Farrell said of Prendergast, 21, who started against Fiji after making his debut against Argentina.
“I believe he earned it a little bit, but there is also an eye on the future.
“I assume for the two young guys (Prendergast and replacement hooker Gus McCarthy), this game will not define them.
“It’ll be a good part of their development and that’s what you’re hoping for.”
Cian Healy is expecting a unique moment in the midst of the jubilee celebrations, which will include a commemorative one-off jersey, and Farrell’s farewell.
The 37-year-old prop, who earned his first of 133 caps in a 20-20 draw against Australia in November 2009, is on track to surpass Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s all-time most-capped international after tying the record a fortnight ago.
“What a story, playing his debut 15 years ago against Australia,” Farrell remarked of Healy, who is one of the replacements.
“It’s appropriate for both the union and Cian and his family, so we’re all in a privileged position to be part.
“We couldn’t make any more fuss if we tried than what we did two weeks ago, but we’ll try our best anyway.”
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