Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby will work with Ulster Rugby for the next few months while the province awaits the arrival of new head coach Dan McFarland.
McFarland was confirmed as the new head coach earlier this year. However, the arrival of McFarland is complicated by the fact he is still in a contract with the Scottish rugby union. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend had said McFarland will serve a nine-month notice period with Scottish Rugby although it was hoped by those within the province that he could be in place in time for pre-season. That situation is further complicated by tetchy relations between Scotland and the IRFU.
As previously reported, Scotland did not vote for Ireland during the bidding process for the 2023 World Cup. IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne had expressed disappointment with the Scottish union at the time.
The bottom line is that we were disappointed that Scotland and Wales didn’t vote for us. They had reasons. Scotland wanted to go for the money.
Browne was referring to an arrangement Scotland had with the FFR which will see them play each other twice in the summer of 2019 home and away.
During their summer tour, Scotland had two forward coaches: McFarland and Carl Hogg. Both were designated with separate, specific duties perhaps suggesting a future for both. It could take a significant pay-off by the IRFU to free McFarland from that contract.
Easterby will begin in the role this week, while the province still hope they can secure McFarland before January if an agreement can be reached with the Scottish union.
