Twitter Reacts To Andy Farrell Being Named Ireland’s New Defence Coach

We know it’s pretty early in 2016, but this will surely be the biggest shock appointment of the year.

Ireland today announced that former Rugby League man Andy Farrell will succeed Les Kiss as Ireland’s new defence coach. The former England defence coach takes up the same position with Ireland after this year’s Six Nations and is a move that nobody could have predicted.

Farrell, father of England out-half Owen Farrell, was a member of Stuart Lancaster’s coaching team before being relieved of his duties in December by Eddie Jones.

The overriding emotion online after the announcement was a mixture of shock, optimism and quite frankly- disbelief.

So Andy Farrell new @IrishRugby defence coach! Decent business that. Very good coach and motivator. Expect line speed & great kick chase.

— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) January 6, 2016

I for one welcome our new defensive overlord. Best of luck Andy Farrell. #irfu #Irishrugby

— TheDugout (@TheDugoutDublin) January 6, 2016

Hands up anyone who saw that appointment coming. Hey you guys with your hands up, you’re lying! Nobody saw this one coming! #AndyFarrell

— David Cahill (@docathail) January 6, 2016

Hope Joe Schmidt doesn’t have a “bring your kids to work day” #AndyFarrell 😂😂😂

— Aoife Clarke (@ClarkeAoife) January 6, 2016

Irish supporters seem to have forgot we were ripped apart by the argentines #AndyFarrell

— odhran ring (@Ringojunior) January 6, 2016

@IrishRugby I think you may have been hacked, you might want to change your password 😱 #AndyFarrell

— Jackie Mc (@Jackiem23) January 6, 2016

#andyfarrell to Ireland is one out of the blue. #rugby

— Lee O Donnell (@leeodonnell3) January 6, 2016