Simon Easterby insists Andy Farrell will not be involved in Ireland’s Six Nations

The former flanker, who yesterday named Sam Prendergast in a 33-man squad for next month’s Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa, will step into the top job for the Six Nations and the summer tour of Romania and Georgia, and he insists the boss will not have an overarching presence during that window.

Ireland are open to bringing in another coach to help with the workload when Farrell is preparing for the Lions and Easterby didn’t rule out a move for Felix Jones, who is serving a notice period with the RFU after signalling his intention to leave the English set-up.

Ireland has never gone into a Six Nations without its head coach, a scenario Wales faced in 2013 and 2017 when Warren Gatland handed control to Rob Howley. There is a perception that Farrell will still hold an influence behind the scenes, but Easterby believes he’ll have autonomy in the role.

“Andy has a lot to get through in terms of the Lions,” he said. “I’m sure he’d be on the end of a phone if needed,…