Easterby rising for Ireland
By DAIRE WALSH
SIMON EASTERBY is ready to send Ireland into battle against England and admits it is a “privilege” to oversee the latest era of Irish rugby.
The former international flanker has stepped up to interim head coach, with Andy Farrell taking time out to focus on leading the Lions.
Easterby’s maiden selection sees out-half Sam Prendergast handed his Six Nations debut.
It is a baptism of fire for both with England coming to the Aviva Stadium in the opener.
Easterby does not know where tomorrow’s blood-and-thunder battle will rank in his career just yet.
However, he lists it as a special achievement.
The 49-year-old said: “I haven’t really thought about it in those terms.
“I know I’ve been around a while. I made my debut in the year the Six Nations formed but it’s special. I was fortunate as a player but I have been as a coach, being part of this group and the progression of Irish rugby.”
His first task is turning over the side that denied Ireland a Grand Slam last year, with the hosts aiming to win a third championship on the spin.
Easterby purred: “I feel very privileged to be doing this but it’s probably been a long time in the process of different experiences that I’ve had.”
The Yorkshire native in England who – along with his brother Guy – qualified to play for Ireland through their Dublin mother.
Easterby lined out in four successive Six Nations victories against the country of his birth from 2004 to 2007.
For the former blindside flanker, tomorrow’s back-row battle at Lansdowne Road is exciting.
The inclusion of Leinster trio of Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris ensures there will be cohesion at the base of Ireland’s pack.
Baird was called in as cover when Tadhg Beirne had to move to the second row after Joe McCarthy took a “nasty blow” to the head in training on Wednesday.
Steve Borthwick has named Curry twins Tom and Ben at blindside and openside respectively.
The English back row is completed by Saracens’ Ben Earl.
Easterby believes the selection of the Curry brothers offers a clue of how the opposition will approach the game.
He said: “I didn’t expect England would select them both and Ben Earl in the back row.
“They’ve done something similar before, with Tom Curry, Earl and Sam Underhill.
“Ben and Tom are both fabulous players who have been playing very well for Sale and they understand their strengths and how they play with each other.
“They have not done it in a starting Test before but they have been in a 23 together.
“It poses other threats in terms of what they bring to the game.
“But it also signals a little bit about how England want to play the game.”
Ben Curry added: “We know that Ireland are a good team, especially at home.
“But we both want to keep coming at them – and if we’re good enough on the day they might hopefully think there’s more than two of us!”