Statement: Legend Paul O'Connell named Ireland head coach

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at 17:04

byRugby Rucker

Ireland legend Paul O’Connell will take the reins as interim head coach for Ireland’s Summer Tour matches against Georgia and Portugal, after Simon Easterby and several members of the Ireland backroom team were confirmed as part of the British & Irish Lions coaching setup.

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Earlier today, Easterby, scrum coach John Fogarty, and attack coach Andrew Goodman were unveiled as part of Warren Gatland’s coaching ticket for the upcoming Lions tour of Australia.

Humphreys Confirms O’Connell Appointment

IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys expressed his pride in the trio’s selection but confirmed that it leaves a void in Ireland’s setup this summer.

“Simon’s appointment means that an opportunity arises for a new interim Head Coach for the two-match summer tour to Georgia (5th July) and Portugal (12th July), and Paul O’Connell will assume the role for this tour. Details around the remainder of the Ireland coaching team will be announced next week,” said Humphreys.

A Big Step for the Coaching Trio

Humphreys praised the appointments, highlighting their significance:
“On behalf of the IRFU, I would like to congratulate Simon, John, and Andrew on their respective selections for the forthcoming British & Irish Lions tour. It is a huge statement of faith in their skill-sets and standing within the wider game, and I have no doubt they will contribute greatly to a successful Lions tour.”

Humphreys also noted that this is a career-defining moment for the coaches, as well as for Vinny Hammond and Aled Walters, who were confirmed earlier this year as part of the Lions’ performance team.

O’Connell’s Time to Shine

O’Connell, a key figure in Ireland’s coaching team, now has a chance to step into the spotlight as head coach for the first time, adding another chapter to his illustrious rugby career.

Marcus Smith set to miss out on the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour

With just over a month until the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad is revealed, the odds are showing which players are most likely to earn a spot on the prestigious tour.

Back-Three: Speed, Power, and Flair

The back-three options for the Lions are packed with dynamic talent. From powerful wingers to dependable fullbacks, the competition is fierce.

Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe is practically a lock, with odds of 1/16, while Ireland’s James Lowe and Hugo Keenan also look set to make the squad. With plenty of flair and power in this group, it’s going to be a tough decision for the selectors.

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Mack Hansen (Ireland) - 2/1

Centre: Physicality Meets Creativity

In the centres, the Lions have a wealth of players who can bring both physicality and creativity. Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw top the list, with Aki’s odds sitting comfortably at 1/5. Scotland’s Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are also in strong contention, bringing versatility and power to the midfield.

Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11

Fly-Halves: The Masterminds of Attack

Fly-half is one of the most critical positions for any team, and the Lions have three top-class contenders. Scotland’s Finn Russell leads the way with odds of 1/10, while England’s Fin Smith and Ireland’s Sam Prendergast are hot on his heels.

Russell’s vision and flair will make him a key playmaker, but Smith and Prendergast bring youthful energy and composure to the table.

Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) - 8/11

Scrum-Halves: Quick, Dynamic, and Clinical

At scrum-half, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park has the edge with odds of 8/11, though England’s Alex Mitchell and Scotland’s Ben White are breathing down his neck.

All three are known for their speed and sharp decision-making, making the scrum-half position a tight contest as the Lions look for the perfect player to feed their backline.

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Ben White (Scotland) - 11/10

Prop: Dominant in the Scrums

The prop positions are likely to see fierce competition, with the Irish duo of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter looking like certainties. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, England’s Ellis Genge, and Wales’ Nicky Smith will all be pushing for a place, making this one of the most closely contested positions. Furlong and Porter are the front-runners, but the battle for the other spots will be intense.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Nicky Smith (Wales) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4

Hooker: Precision and Power in the Front Row

In the hooker department, Ireland’s Dan Sheehan is the standout contender with a dominant 1/10. England’s Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie will both be pushing hard for the other spots, with Cowan-Dickie’s form proving to be a key factor. Sheehan’s reliability at the line-out and in open play will make him tough to overlook.

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Jamie George (England) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5

Lock: Strength in the Line-Out

The lock positions are dominated by England’s Maro Itoje, who is practically a certainty with odds of 1/33. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy are also looking strong, while England’s Ollie Chessum and Scotland’s Scott Cummings provide a solid mix of experience and youthful energy. Itoje’s dominance in the line-out and around the park is unmatched, but the competition for the other spots remains fierce.

Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
Scott Cummings (Scotland) - 11/10

Back-Row: The Workhorses of the Lions

In the back-row, the Irish contingent is well-represented with Caelan Doris, Ben Earl, and Josh van der Flier all leading the way. The Lions will need players who can carry the ball, tackle hard, and provide leadership. England’s Tom Curry and Wales’ Jac Morgan are also pushing hard for spots in a fiercely competitive back-row selection.