This time final yr, Eire have been bracing themselves for the primary recreation of the post-Johnny Sexton period.
This yr finds them planning one other Six Nations title defence, solely with out the person who has masterminded their journey again to the summit of the competitors.
With head coach Andy Farrell having been seconded to the British and Irish Lions earlier than he leads subsequent summer season’s tour to Australia, he might be absent from Eire’s coaches’ field for the primary time for the reason that 2016 Six Nations.
In his stead, Simon Easterby will oversee Eire’s Six Nations marketing campaign and summer season matches towards Georgia, Romania and Portugal.
A part of the Irish backroom staff since 2014, Easterby has undoubtedly served his apprenticeship, and whereas he has the prospect to guide Eire to their first ever Six Nations hat-trick, there are some points for him to deal with.
Firstly, Easterby should again a fly-half. Whereas Jack Crowley occupied the ten jersey for many of 2024, the emergence of Sam Prendergast – who began the final two autumn video games – has difficult the image.
Past that, the hope is that the Six Nations will see Eire return to being the free-flowing juggernaut related to Farrell’s tenure. Outcomes, as a complete, remained optimistic in 2024, however their autumn performances did not encourage.
With England travelling to Dublin on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, Easterby has no time to spare as he prepares to tackle probably the most intense problem of his teaching profession.
