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British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says it will be a “bit different” watching the Six Nations unfold this year instead of leading the Ireland team.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 49-year-old Englishman has guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles but is taking a sabbatical from the role to coach the Lions in this summer’s tour to Australia. <\/p>\n
“I’ll be intrigued to watch from the sidelines – it will be a bit different for me, watching the Six Nations from the sidelines,” Farrell told RTE.<\/p>\n
“Not just that, [there’s] the big games in Europe, the URC and Premiership etc. Good luck to everyone”<\/p>\n
Simon Easterby has taken over from Farrell as interim head coach as Ireland bid for third straight Six Nations triumph.<\/p>\n
Farrell succeeds Warren Gatland as Lions head coach after serving as his assistant for the 2013 and 2017 series.<\/p>\n
He will prepare the Lions for 10 games, including an opening Test against Argentina in Dublin and ending with a three-Test series against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.<\/p>\n
Farrell added that he is solely focused on selecting the right team for the Lions.<\/p>\n
“It’s always the job of a head coach – everyone always asks about the difficult decisions to be made, but it’s my job to do the right thing by the team.<\/p>\n
“And the team I’m going to be coaching in the summer is the British and Irish Lions.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n