Ireland's New Rugby Coach Is A Former Lion And Married To A TV Star
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Ireland's new head coach, Simon Easterby, is no stranger to Irish rugby fans. A cult hero during his playing days, the former flanker is now stepping up to lead the national team in their quest for Six Nations glory.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Taking the reins from Andy Farrell
Easterby replaces Andy Farrell, who is gearing up to coach the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia. With 65 caps for Ireland and a wealth of coaching experience, Easterby is well-prepared for the challenge ahead. The 49-year-old will oversee Ireland's Six Nations campaign in 2025 as the team looks to make history.
“It would be incredibly special”
No team has ever secured three outright Six Nations titles in a row, and Easterby knows the odds are stacked against his side. Ireland, back-to-back champions, kick off their campaign against England at the Aviva Stadium on 1 February.
“It would be incredibly special,” Easterby told BBC Sport. “It’s never been done but that’s for a reason, it’s incredibly hard to do. We know there’s a lot of work prior to us even thinking about that.
“Momentum is a huge thing in the competition and if you get off to a good start then you go some way to achieving that goal.”
A journey steeped in green
Easterby's coaching credentials are impressive. He led Ireland's tour of South Africa in 2022, proving his tactical nous and leadership skills. Born to an Irish mother in Blackrock, Dublin, Easterby has deep ties to Irish rugby. His tenure as head coach officially began on 1 December 2024, marking the next chapter in his remarkable journey.
Who Is Sarra Elgan?
Backing Simon Easterby every step of the way is his wife, Sarra Elgan, a well-known sports presenter in her own right. Sarra, 44, hails from Neath in Wales and has rugby in her blood, being the daughter of former Wales and British Lions rugby player Elgan Rees and Kathryn Rees.
Sarra has made her mark on the broadcasting world, starting her punditry career in 2007. Over the years, she has worked for major sports networks, including ESPN, TNT Sport, and Sky Sports, where she covered the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa.
Proud of Her Identity
Sarra is unapologetically herself on and off the screen. Known for her glamorous appearance, she embraces her love for beauty while passionately advocating for her love of rugby. “Yes, I’m blonde, yes I love fake tan, yes I love make-up.
“But it doesn’t take away from the fact that I love rugby and I know rugby,” she shared in an interview.
She added: “Everyone has to be themselves. You shouldn’t have to change the way you are to conform. That’s always been really important to me.”
Family Life
Simon and Sarra Easterby are proud parents of two children. Their daughter, Soffia, born in 2007, is a talented hockey player, while their son, Ffredi, born in 2009, is already following in his father's rugby footsteps
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