Andy Farrell, Ireland’s esteemed rugby coach, couldn’t help but elicit raucous laughter from the audience at the Late Late Show with a succinct response to inquiries about potentially coaching England.
Comic Patrick Kielty likened Farrell’s popularity in Ireland to that of Jack Charlton due to his success in steering the nation to back-to-back Six Nations victories, earning him the affectionate status of an honorary Irishman despite his English origins.
Kielty probed into any ambitions Farrell might harbour about coaching his homeland, given he has eight caps for England.
But he delivered a resounding “No,” prompting the studio into fits of laughter and vigorous applause.
The British and Irish Lions Coach, unfazed by the mirth, expanded on his stance, saying: “Wherever you are you’re just doing your best job and if you’re doing a good job things tend to come your way.
“I never asked to be captain of a side or a head coach of a side, people tend to ask you because of a job you do and you take that in your stride and make them decisions as you go.”
Furthermore, Farrell shared insights on the unique experience of coaching against his son Owen during England matches, describing it as ‘very easy’.
“I know that sounds sadistic in a way, but it was very easy because I know for a fact he would do anything to beat me, so why wouldn’t I do it to beat him as well?”
He reminisced about their professional relationship during Owen’s formative years at Saracens. “I coached him as a junior coming through at Saracens, and that was professional.
“When it is your job and your duty, you get on with it. It’s harder for everyone else around the family, but for us, it’s about the job in hand and doing the best you can for your team.”
Farrell shared his thoughts on the family dynamics at play when he and his son go head-to-head, acknowledging the tough position it puts his wife Coleen in.
“That’s the hardest job isn’t it. She must go through hell; someone is over the moon, and someone is down in the dumps, so I suppose she’s got to wear two hats.”
In addition, Farrell addressed Mack Hansen’s recent suspension for the first time publicly, emphasising the emotional nature of the sport and the importance of respect for referees.
“It’s an emotional game, and it means a lot, but, at the end of the day, our game is loved by all because of the respect we have for the referees. He’ll learn a lot from that and move on.”
This article originally appeared on Irish Mirror