Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell to meet again, master and former assistant lock horns as equals in Dublin next Saturday
"I won't be shying away from the game. We'll use everything that we've got, obviously. So will they, " Ireland Head Coach Farrell
Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell will meet as Head Coaches for the first time when Ireland take on Australia at the Aviva next Saturday (3.10pm).
It is five years since Schmidt took his leave of the Ireland job, firstly taking a break (2019-22), returning to work with Auckland Blues/All Blacks coaching staff (2022-23) before taking the reins at Australia in March 2024.
Farrell has noted his former boss's return with the Wallabies where, to be fair, he took them over at rock-bottom.
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“I think it’s progressing exactly how we thought it would do. He’s took his team by playing a good few players first and foremost and took a little bit of pain.
“Australia have always got the athletes. He’s trying to find out about them more personally, I would have thought over the last six months. He’s got that now and he’s got them playing really good rugby.
"He’s done the right thing for the squad so he’s got a good opinion and they’re reaping their reward for that at this moment in time.
"I won't be shying away from the game. We'll use everything that we've got, obviously. So will they. There's no doubt. It's an exciting last game for everyone."
That the match is 'out of sync' with other test nations, on a weekend where the provinces have URC games, is down to it being a one-off to make the IRFU's 150th Anniversary.
"It's a special moment for all of us involved who loves Irish rugby and special for us as a squad because we do a lot of work on understanding our history and what it means and for us to have a flow of 150 years.
"On top of that, the special shirt for the game is lovely as well. The shirt's great. There's a few things going on within the week and we're looking forward to all of that."
This will be the Irish coach's last game in charge before heading off on Lions Head Coach duty and sabbatical away from Ireland duties for 11 months; his next time in the Ireland dressing room will be the first 2025 November Series game.
Simon Easterby will be Acting Head Coach for both the 2025 Six Nations and summer tour.
Farrell says that while the Lions job is a great honour, there will be plenty of time to deal with that: "It's not been a distraction for me or the squad. The only thing that matters is this week."
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