Who is Ireland rugby coach Simon Easterby as he takes charge for the Six Nations

With Andy Farrell on British and Irish Lions duty, Simon Easterby will take charge of Ireland for this Six Nations.

Easterby is best known for his 65 appearances with Ireland as a player but has been part of Farrell's coaching ticket.

Here is everything you need to know about the coach.

SIMON EASTERBY FACTFILE

DOB: 21/7/1975 - aged 49

Why is he in the News: Simon Easterby is stand-in Ireland rugby coach for the 2025 Six Nations while Andy Farrell is on Lions sabbatical

Place of Birth: Harrowgate, Yorkshire

Ht: 6'4" Wt: 100kgs

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School: Ampleforth College (past pupils include the King of Lesotho, Rupert Everett, Lawrence Dallaglio

Married: to TV star Sarra Elgan Rees, two children Soffia (2007) & Ffredri (2009)

Notable Relatives: Guy Easterby (brother) rugby player, Mick Easterby (uncle) horse trainer

Rugby Ireland: 65 caps (2000-08)

Ireland debut: 2000 Six Nations v Scotland

Ireland last cap: 2008 Six Nations v England

Club: Leeds Tykes 27 apps (1998-99), Llanelli RFC 71 apps (1999-03), Scarlets 109 apps (2003-10)

British & Irish Lions: 2005 Tourist, 2 tests

Coaching: Scarlets 2012-14, Ireland Forwards Coach 2014-21, Ireland Defence Coach 2021-, Ireland Interim Coach 2025-

DID YOU KNOW: In August 2014, Easterby was one of 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the UK in the September 2014 referendum.

Other signatories included David Attenborough, Cilla Black, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Ronnie Corbett, Bryan Ferry, Stephen Hawking, Tom Holland, Mick Jagger, Ross Kemp, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Davina McCall, Andy McNab, Cliff Richard, Peter Reid, Ian Rush, Patrick Stewart, Sting, Alan Sugar..

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