Bad news for Wales as hefty compensation fee revealed if WRU want Ireland coach as Warren Gatland’s replacement – report
Ireland coach Simon Easterby.
If Wales want to appoint Simon Easterby as their new head coach they will have to pay the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) a hefty compensation fee.
On Tuesday, Warren Gatland stepped down from his position “by mutual agreement” with Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt replacing him on an interim basis for the rest of the Six Nations.
According to a WalesOnline report, Easterby and Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith have already been tapped up to take over the Wales role on a permanent basis.
Huge compensation fee could be paid
However, the Irish Independent reports that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will have to pay a compensation fee of €500,000 if they want to release Easterby from his IRFU contract – which expires in 2027 – in order to take the Wales job.
Easterby is currently standing in for Andy Farrell as Ireland‘s head coach during the Six Nations after the latter was appointed as the British & Irish Lions’ head coach for their upcoming tour to Australia later this year.
Appointing Easterby as Ireland’s interim head coach has proved to be a masterstroke by the IRFU as they have made a fantastic start to the Six Nations under his guidance, winning both their opening matches in the Championship – against England and Scotland – with bonus points.
In an ironic twist of fate, Easterby’s current contract situation is similar to the one he found himself in in 2014 while he was the head coach of the Scarlets.
At that time, he was released a year early from his contract with the Welsh region – a move which saved the IRFU approximately €100,000 at the time.
But with Easterby’s stocks having risen as a coach after Ireland’s impressive start to the Six Nations, the IRFU are unlikely to display similar generosity if the WRU approach them for his services.
Close ties with Wales
Easterby has close ties to Welsh rugby as, apart from coaching the Scarlets, he also played for them as a back-row between 2003 and 2010.
The 49-year-old also lives in Wales and his wife and his children are Welsh.
Gatland’s departure came after he oversaw Wales’ 14-match losing streak which stretches back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Wales last tasted victory during a pool game against Georgia at the global showpiece.
Despite the speculation about the Wales position, Easterby is viewed by many as Farrell’s successor as Ireland head coach after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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