Andy Farrell

Rugby union coach and former rugby league and rugby union player

English Wigan, England Gemini

Quick Info

ProfessionRugby union coach and former rugby league and rugby union player
NationalityEnglish
Date of Birth30/05/1975
Age51 years
BirthplaceWigan, England
Zodiac SignGemini

Latest News about Andy Farrell

05/06/2026

The IRFU announced that Andy Farrell had signed a contract extension to remain Ireland men's head coach through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup. The union said it was delighted to secure him for two more World Cup cycles. The move came after Ireland's Six Nations success and their run to the quarter-finals at the previous World Cup.

Do you like Andy Farrell?

You can vote only once.

86% like · 14% dislike

Bio/Wiki

SummaryAndrew David Farrell is an English rugby union coach who previously played rugby league and rugby union. He has been head coach of the Ireland national rugby union team since 2019 and led the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia. In June 2026 he agreed a contract extension keeping him as Ireland head coach through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
Playing careerHe started rugby league as a teenager at Wigan, captained Wigan and Great Britain, and later played rugby union for Saracens and England, including at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Coaching careerHe moved into coaching with Saracens in 2009-2010, served as an England assistant coach from 2011 to 2015, and joined Ireland as defence coach in 2016 before becoming head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Personal Life

Home townWigan

Family

ChildrenOwen Farrell (rugby union player for Saracens and England)

Career

Rugby leaguePlayed for Wigan and Great Britain as a goal-kicking loose forward; captained both, won multiple Super League and Challenge Cup titles, and was named Man of Steel twice.
Rugby union playingSwitched to rugby union with Saracens and represented England.
CoachingSaracens skills and first-team coach; England assistant coach (2011-2015); Munster temporary adviser; Ireland defence coach (2016-2019) and head coach (2019 onward); British and Irish Lions defence coach in 2013 and 2017 and head coach for the 2025 tour of Australia; contract extended in June 2026 to the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
Honours and awards
  • OBE in 2004 for services to rugby league
  • World Rugby Coach of the Year (2023)
  • Ireland Six Nations Championship titles and a Grand Slam in 2023

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. He first played rugby league at age 10 at a summer camp run by Graeme West.
2. He won rugby league's Golden Boot award in 2004.
3. He led Ireland to a number one world ranking.
4. He was defence coach during Ireland's first-ever series win in Australia in 2018.

Also born on 30 May

Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
Scroll to Top