Andrew Goodman To Join Ireland Coaching Team In 2024
New Zealander Andrew Goodman will join the Ireland coaching team ahead of the 2024/25 season ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
The IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Goodman as backs coach. He will join the Ireland Men’s 15s coaching group at the end of the current season until 2027.
Prior to his current role at Leinster Rugby, where he has been assistant coach since June 2022, Goodman worked in the NPC with Tasman Mako and then with the Crusaders whom he helped to secure the Super Rugby title in 2022.
More recently, the 41-year-old was part of Samoa’s coaching team at the Rugby World Cup. He played at out-half and centre for Leinster, where he won Celtic League and European Challenge Cup honours during his playing career.
Goodman commented: “This has obviously been a very difficult decision to make in one way because I have loved coming back to Leinster. A team that I loved playing with and a team that I love coaching.
“I’d like to thank Leo (Cullen) for the opportunity to come back and to make Dublin our family home, and I’d like to thank the players, the coaches, the staff and everyone based in UCD, for the welcome they have given myself, Nina and the kids.
The opportunity to test yourself at the very highest level is something that I have loved doing with Samoa in the last few years, and now this challenge has come up with Ireland and it’s one that I am hugely excited about.
“It’s a chance to work with one of the best teams in the world and to work with some of the best coaches and players in the world, and it was one that I couldn’t turn down.
“I look forward to getting stuck into that when the time is right and building on the great work that Andy Farrell and the other coaches have done to now, but until then, I want to continue doing my best for Leinster and this group of players and the supporters that we have.”
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora stated: “It was clear from the recruitment process that Andrew was a high-calibre candidate and we are delighted that he will continue his journey in Irish Rugby over the coming years.
“He brings a wealth of experience of the Irish and international systems and has packed a significant amount into a relatively young coaching career. His familiarity with the existing system here, coupled with his knowledge of the global game, will greatly add to our environment.”