Andy Farrell is a prominent figure in rugby, excelling as both a player and a coach. He began his career in rugby league, playing for Wigan from 1991 to 2004. During this time, he earned 34 caps for Great Britain and 11 for England, participating in the 1995 and 2000 World Cups. As a goal-kicking loose forward, he captained Wigan, England, and Great Britain, winning six Championships and four Challenge Cups, along with numerous individual accolades. In 2005, Farrell transitioned to rugby union, joining Saracens, where he made 28 appearances and played eight times for England, including at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. His coaching career began in 2010 as an assistant coach at Saracens, where he quickly advanced to first-team coach. In 2012, he joined the England national team as a defence coach and was praised for his strategies during the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour. Farrell moved to Ireland in 2016, serving as defence coach under Joe Schmidt. After Schmidt's departure following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Farrell became head coach of the Ireland national team. Under his leadership, Ireland achieved notable success, including a 2-1 series victory in New Zealand in 2022 and consecutive Six Nations Championships in 2023 and 2024, with a Grand Slam in 2023. Farrell also served as defence coach for the British and Irish Lions during their 2013 and 2017 tours, earning acclaim for his contributions. His coaching has transformed Ireland into the world’s top-ranked team, showcasing his ability to inspire and motivate players.
Outside of rugby, Farrell is married and has four children, including professional player Owen. He was awarded an OBE in 2004 for his contributions to rugby league and is a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing insights on leadership and performance.