O'Connell to take interim charge of Ireland for summer tour

Ireland have confirmed the appointment of Paul O'Connell as their interim coach for this summer's tour of Georgia and Portugal.

Simon Easterby was placed in interim charge of Ireland for the Six Nations, with head coach Andy Farrell on a sabbatical as he readies himself for the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia.

However, Easterby has joined Farrell's staff, meaning Ireland have now appointed forwards coach O'Connell.

O'Connell will take charge of Tests against Georgia and Portugal on July 5 and July 12, respectively.

Paul O'Connell will be interim Ireland Men's Head Coach for the two-Test Summer Tour of Georgia and Portugal! #TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 26, 2025

Ireland's scrum coach John Fogarty and backs coach Andrew Goodman have also joined Farrell's team, and IRFU performance director David Humphreys congratulated the staff.

"It is a huge statement of faith in their skillsets and standing within the wider game, and I have no doubt that they will contribute greatly to a successful Lions tour," said Humphreys.

"Simon's appointment means that an opportunity arises for a new interim head coach for the two-match summer tour to Georgia and Portugal and I'm delighted that Paul O'Connell will assume the role for this tour."

O'Connell won 108 caps for Ireland and also played on three Lions tours, and was captain in 2009.