Paul O’Connell Named Interim Ireland Head Coach For Summer Tests Against Georgia And Portugal 3vr2o

Former Munster and Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has been named interim Ireland head coach for the team’s summer tour to Georgia and Portugal.

Permanent head coach Andy Farrell was already away leading the Six Nations.

But Easterby has now also been named as part of Farrell’s coaching team for the Lions tour to Australia over the summer.

In a heavily Irish coaching group, scrum and backs coaches John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman will also travel down under.

Paul O’Connell Named Ireland Coach For Summer Tour 485721

As a result, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have confirmed that forwards coach Paul O’Connell will take charge of Ireland’s summer tour.

The side will play tests against both Georgia and Portugal, on 5 July and 12 July respectively.

Following the announcement of the Lions coaching team, IRFU performance director David Humphreys praised the Irish coaches involved.

“It is a huge statement of faith in their skillsets and standing within the wider game, and I have no doubt that they will contribute greatly to a successful Lions tour,” he said.

“Simon’s appointment means that an opportunity arises for a new interim head coach for the two-match summer tour to Georgia and Portugal and I’m delighted that Paul O’Connell will assume the role for this tour.”

The full Ireland coaching team for the summer series will be confirmed next week, along with the match venues and kickoff times.

With a large number of first-choice Ireland stars expected to travel with the Lions to Australia, O’Connell will have an under-strength squad to choose from.

But the tour will also provide a great opportunity for Ireland to test out some less-experienced players against rapidly improving Tier Two nations in Portugal and Georgia.

Munster icon O’Connell won 108 caps for Ireland and played on three Lions tours himself – including as captain in 2009.