Andy Farrell: Ireland head coach expects ‘discussions’ over future amid Saracens links

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he expects to “sit down and have discussions” with the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] over his future after being linked with a move to Saracens.

Saracens last week released a statement to distance the club from “disrespectful” reports they had offered Farrell a coaching role after the 2027 Rugby World Cup when his Ireland deal ends.

The English Premiership side said “no offer has been made” after the Irish Independent reported that Farrell was approached with a deal worth more than £1m per year to return to Sarries following next year’s tournament in Australia.

Mark McCall will step down as Saracens’ director of rugby at the end of the season and Brendan Venter will return to the role.

While Farrell admitted he understood why he would be linked with a role at his former club, where his son Owen currently plays, he said it was “people putting two and two together and making five”.

“You’d expect me to say I’m here to concentrate on the Six Nations and what will be, will be in the future,” Farrell said before Ireland’s Six Nations game with Wales on Friday.

“I suppose it’s people putting two and two together and making five, with the connections, good friends with the owner, Owen’s there and all of that, so you can see why that has happened.

“I suppose we’ll sit down and have discussions with the IRFU in the near future, that’s for sure.”

Farrell, who played for Saracens as a player after switching from Rugby League, joined Ireland’s coaching team under Joe Schmidt and became head coach following the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup.

The 50-year-old guided Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2023, and also took charge of the British and Irish Lions’ series win over Australia in the summer.