Andy Farrell addresses contract talk with IRFU over Ireland future

Andy Farrell says a conversation about his future as Ireland head coach “won’t be too far away”.

The Englishman guided Ireland to a fourth Triple Crown in five years thanks to Saturday’s 43-21 win over Scotland before being denied the third Six Nations title of his reign by France.

Farrell, 50, was appointed to his current role in 2019 and has a contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) to lead the team to next year’s World Cup in Australia.

He was last month linked with a move to Gallagher Prem club Saracens at the end of his existing deal, reports he suggested were a case of “people putting two and two together and making five”.

“I will have a conversation (with the IRFU), we’ve already spoken about having a conversation,” said Farrell.

“That won’t be too far away, so we’ll see how that goes.”

Asked if he would like to stay on beyond his current contract, Farrell replied: “You know that I love this.

“There’s all sorts of stuff that needs to be talked about, I’ve no doubt.”

Ireland return to action in July with fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in the inaugural Nations Championship.

Having used 35 players during the Six Nations, Farrell wants individuals “fighting for a seat on the plane” for the summer series.

“We’ll see what the momentum is with the lads going back to their provinces now,” he said.

“We’ve talked about it in the changing rooms. People have had to grow for this competition.

“The lads who’ve had a sniff of it, who’ve not necessarily played (on Saturday against Scotland), it’s up to them to keep on competing as well, to show us that they’ve learned some lessons and everyone is fighting for a seat on the plane.”

The bonus-point success over Scotland rivalled a record 42-21 win away to England in round three as Ireland’s best performance of the championship.

“They’re both special,” said Farrell. “That’s having to do with when a trophy’s on the line, and that’s the type of experience that you want for the group.

“They (Scotland) were never going to go away because they’re a top side and they played really well.

“How we kept going after the game, rather than just going into our shells and trying to hold on to a lead (was impressive). We kept playing to the death, and that was the pleasing part.”