Andy Farrell: Muslims insist on not making any offer to the Ireland coach

Saracens have rejected “disrespectful” reports that they have offered Irish coach Andy Farrell a coaching role after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The club said “no offer has been made” after the Irish Independent reported that Farrell had been approached with a deal worth more than £1m a year to return to Surrey after next year’s tournament in Australia.

Brendan Venter will return to the role of Director of Rugby at the Premier League club when long-serving Mark McCall steps down at the end of the season.

A club statement read: “Andy has not discussed his future with anyone on the board or the Saracens ownership group, and we can state categorically, despite numerous reports to the contrary in the press, that no offer has been made for Andy.”

“The misleading reports are disrespectful to Brendan Venter, who will assume the duties of the Ministry of Operations [director of rugby] Mark McCall’s responsibilities at the end of the 25-26 season. “It is also disrespectful to Andy and the IRFU.”

Farrell was a Saracens player between 2005 and 2009, and also won eight caps for England, having switched to the Union after a long and successful rugby league career with Wigan, where he also captained Great Britain. After retiring as a player, he took his first steps in coaching with Saracens.

The 50-year-old – whose son Owen returned to the Premier League side last summer after a season in France with Racing 92 – took over as Ireland coach in 2019 from Joe Schmidt, having taken over as assistant in 2016.

In 2023, he led Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam and a Championship title the following year.

He then turned his attention to the British and Irish Lions, leading them to a 2-1 win over Australia last year, before returning to the Irish round.

“Given Andy’s close relationship with Saracens, the club looks forward to welcoming him back for further home matches once the Six Nations is over,” a Saracens statement concluded.