In a coup for the ages, Andy Farrell has joined up with Joe Schmidt’s Ireland set-up.
The former England defence coach takes up the same position with Ireland after this year’s Six Nations and is a move that nobody could have predicted.
Farrell, father of England out-half Owen Farrell, was a member of Stuart Lancaster’s coaching team before being relieved of his duties in December by Eddie Jones.
The overriding emotion online after the announcement was a mixture of shock, optimism and disbelief!
So Andy Farrell new @IrishRugby defence coach! Decent business that. Very good coach and motivator. Expect line speed & great kick chase.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 6, 2016
I for one welcome our new defensive overlord. Best of luck Andy Farrell. #irfu #Irishrugby
— TheDugout (@TheDugoutDublin) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/_carlyj/status/684761055168430080
General disbelief and incredulity among my twitter rugby family…Andy Farrell…checks date…January 6th…and it's not from WWN either!
— Michelle (@CorkSeashell) January 6, 2016
Andy Farrell? What date is it?
— Hugh Cahill (@hughcahill7) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/ItsBeckyWalsh/status/684759357687488512
Andy Farrell – WTF?????? #rugby
— Michelle (@CorkSeashell) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/ItsBeckyWalsh/status/684760221101744128
https://twitter.com/ThereseDeFaoite/status/684760642386038784
Weird move – Andy Farrell confirmed as Ireland's new defence coach. That's quick. Must've been in the pipeline a while.
— Gareth Davies (@GD10) January 6, 2016
Andy Farrell to Ireland? Wait what? Huh? Ye'sure?
— LorcanJPT (@LorcanJPT) January 6, 2016
@SportsJOEdotie #darkagesaheadagainforirishrugby Brian Cody's defense coach is the man
— Adrian Ó Curráin (@TMMShop) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/jamie_stinson/status/684761103994368000
https://twitter.com/JenRyan_95/status/684764850879344640
@IrishRugby I think you may have been hacked, you might want to change your password 😱 #AndyFarrell
— JackieMc (@Jackiem23) January 6, 2016
Hands up anyone who saw that appointment coming. Hey you guys with your hands up, you’re lying! Nobody saw this one coming! #AndyFarrell
— David Cahill (@docathail) January 6, 2016
