The revolving door between head coach and assistant is spinning once again in international rugby. This time, it’s Ireland’s turn as longtime deputy Simon Easterby takes the reins on an interim basis while Andy Farrell focuses on British & Irish Lions preparations. The question is: can Easterby make the most of this opportunity and secure the top job permanently?
Filling Farrell’s Shoes
Easterby faces no small task in replacing Farrell, even temporarily. The fiery Englishman’s motivational abilities and knack for putting players in the right mental space are well documented. His leadership shoes will not be easy to fill, especially to start a highly competitive Six Nations.
But the 49-year-old Easterby brings plenty of experience to the role. His resume includes:
- 65 caps for Ireland as a flanker
- 6 years as Scarlets captain
- 11 seasons as an Ireland assistant under Joe Schmidt and Farrell
Winning Over the Locker Room
Ireland captain Caelan Doris had glowing words for Easterby, calling him a “very warm guy” who deeply invests in his players. According to Doris, Easterby brings a mix of humor, emotional intelligence, and immense rugby knowledge to his coaching.
“He’s very detail oriented but can also hit the right emotional notes and tones. Being a back-rower like he was … he would have invested a lot of time in me, for which I’m very grateful.”
Caelan Doris on Simon Easterby
Blending Work and Play
Born in Harrogate and raised in the Yorkshire Dales, Easterby’s competitive fire was stoked in a sports-loving family. His father owned a stud farm and his grandfather and uncles were well-known racehorse trainers. But he also has a fun-loving side, chronicled in colorful stories from his 2011 autobiography Easter’s Rising.
Whether it was crashing Ricky Ponting’s dressing room on his stag party or the tale of four Easterbys on the pitch in Ireland’s 54-10 trouncing of Wales in 2002, Simon has always found ways to mix the serious with the lighthearted. That balance could serve him well in managing the pressure of an interim coach.
The Precedent of Howley’s Heroics
Easterby can look to the example of Rob Howley for inspiration. The former Wales assistant memorably led his side to a Six Nations title in 2013 while head coach Warren Gatland took a sabbatical to focus on the Lions. Wales’ 30-3 demolition of England to clinch the championship still ranks among their greatest ever victories.
If Easterby can achieve something similar, perhaps leading Ireland to a record-breaking third straight Six Nations crown, the “interim” tag may not stick around for long. But he will have to keep the team evolving and motivated to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
A Sink-or-Swim Audition
Beginning this weekend against England, Easterby has a prime opportunity to make his case for the permanent job. He’ll need to push the right buttons and keep Ireland’s winning momentum rolling without missing a beat.
It’s a daunting challenge, but one the diligent, detail-oriented, and player-friendly Easterby appears well equipped for. If he avoids any missteps and keeps collecting trophies, Irish rugby may soon have a new leading man. The precarious life of a “deputy dawg” could prove to be the perfect backdoor path to one of the sport’s top jobs.
