Exit door.

The IRFU confirmed earlier this afternoon that head coach Andy Farrell has signed a new contract that will see him through until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Since assuming the Head Coach role in 2019, Farrell has guided Ireland to number one in the world rankings in a spell which included a Triple Crown, an inaugural series victory in New Zealand in 2022 and a Grand Slam title earlier this year.

Farrell was recently awarded the World Rugby Coach of the Year and this new deal will see him extend his association with the men’s national team to 11 years, having first joined the IRFU as an assistant coach in 2016.

But he will soon lose a key member of his coaching ticket after it was also confirmed today that Mike Catt will step down as Ireland’s attack coach at the end of the 2023/24 season. Catt will continue in his role for the 2024 Six Nations and next summer’s tour of South Africa.

Reports earlier in the year suggested that the 52-year-old is departing as he relocating his family back to England.

A number of names have already been linked with the role, including former captain Johnny Sexton, with a decision set to be made in due course.