Jack McGrath explains how Ireland will defend their Six Nations title without a dedicated defence coach

Andy Farrell is on his way but must serve his 'gardening leave' from Test match duties.

Many Irish fans were calling for Joe Schmidt to appoint a specialist backs coach after their World Cup quarter-final exit. Instead, Les Kiss left his role as defence coach and is not being replaced for the Six Nations. Not quite the result supporters were seeking. Farrell will assume defensive duties as soon as this year's championship wraps up. For now, however, forwards coach Simon Easterby is stepping up for greater responsibilities. Ireland looshead Jack McGrath tells us Easterby and Schmidt are combining to ensure the team keep the opposition at bay, as well as targeting turnovers and launching counter-attacks. McGrath says:

"Simon is taking the majority of the stuff at the moment. "It would be a bit much for Joe, on his own, or Simon on his own. Simon is taking about 70% of the coaching duties and Joe is chiming in too. Between the two of them, they are making up the gap. "We have a good structure in place and we are looking forward to getting it going. We were working it hard [on Friday] and will be doing likewise this week." 

McGrath says Schmidt and Easterby have had "everyone on their toes" since the first moment they assembled to plot their championship defence. "That’s the best way guys perform," he continues, "When you’re under pressure. He wants us to perform under pressure. "Even in aspects on the pitch, or knowing our roles and stuff like that. When guys are under pressure that’s when we perform our best. "It’s a bit of a cliché that Ireland teams, Irish teams in general, perform with their backs to the wall. "When you’re in an environment like that and everyone’s pushing: everyone wants the best for each other, but you’re still going to get a tongue-lashing if you mess up. (Either) by Joe himself or by players."