Andy Farrell pens a deal with England – Rugby News Update
Andy Farrell, the 37-year-old former Saracens and England centre has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal with England, rejoining the coaching staff.
Farrell’s deal will run till January 31, 2016, and in his time with the team he will work with the backs and defence. After the aftermath of the disastrous 2011 Rugby World Cup, Stuart Lancaster, the current head coach of England was given charge of the
team for the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam. Farrell worked with Lancaster on an interim basis but he refused the full-time position before the tour of South Africa, stating that he would like to concentrate on the Saracens.
However, the former rugby league player had a change of heart in June, and resigned from the Saracens, opening up speculation that he was bound for the England coaching staff. At the time of the tour, Lancaster had refused to allow any speculation but at
the end Farrell joins England.
“I loved every minute of coaching England and working with Stuart [Lancaster] and Graham [Rowntree] and this group of players in the Six Nations and to get the opportunity to do it permanently is a dream," said Farrell. "I have watched England in South Africa
and I am massively excited about the potential that was clearly evident in the three Tests and midweek matches.
Earlier Lancaster had indicated that he might add another person in the coaching team, which opens the door for Mike Catt, the interim backs coach on the tour of South Africa. Catt has also indicated previously that he would like to work permanently with
England, and his future should be settled soon.
Rugby Football Union CEO, Ian Ritchie, was delighted with Farrell joining the backroom staff, and said, "I know how much Andy enjoyed his years with Saracens and it is a great credit to the club that they have helped him develop so quickly into what we are
confident will be a fine international coach."
Farrell was one of the most high profile switches from the rugby league when he joined the Saracens. He made his England debut against Scotland at Twickenham, on February 3, 2007, and went onto play 8 matches for his country.
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