IRELAND have name an interim head coach for the two-Test summer fixtures against Georgia and Portugal. Munster and Ireland legend Paul O'Connell is set to take the position for the summer months. Former second-row O'Connell has been working as lineout coach for Ireland under Farrell. The news comes after Andy Farrell named 2025 Ireland Six Nations interim coach Simon Easterby as one of his assistants for the upcoming Lions Tour of Australia. English-born Farrell was forced to take a sabbatical form the Ireland-fold for the season with the Lions tour on the horizon later this year. 49 year-old Farrell also named Ireland coaches Andrew Goodman and John Fogarty on his staff, alongside Scotland's John Dalziel and England's Richard Wigglesworth. IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys confirmed the news in a press release on Wednesday afternoon. He said: “Simon’s appointment means that an opportunity arises for a new interim Head Coach for the two-match summer tour to Georgia (5th July) and Portugal (12th July) and Paul O’Connell will assume the role for this tour. "Details around the remainder of the Ireland coaching team will be announced next week.” “On behalf of the IRFU, I would like to congratulate Simon (Easterby), John (Fogarty) and Andrew (Goodman) on their respective selections for the forthcoming British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. "It is a huge statement of faith in their skill-sets and standing within the wider game, and I have no doubt that they will contribute greatly to a successful Lions tour. “Their appointments mark significant milestones in their coaching careers, as it will for Vinny Hammond and Aled Walters, who were previously confirmed earlier this year. "They will proudly follow in the footsteps of a long list of Irish coaches who have represented Ireland previously with the Lions coaching and management teams. “To Head Coach Andy Farrell and to all those players who will hopefully be selected in a few weeks, we wish them all the very best of luck. O'Connell and Ireland play Georgia (5th July) and Portugal (12th July) with venues and dates TBC. The British & Irish Lions' 2025 tour schedule Friday, June 20: British & Irish Lions vs. Argentina​ Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin​Kick-off: 7:00 PM IST (Irish Standard Time)​Saturday, June 28: Western Force vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AWST (Australian Western Standard Time)​ Wednesday, July 2: Queensland Reds vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)​Saturday, July 5: NSW Waratahs vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​Wednesday, July 9: ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​Saturday, July 12: Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide​Kick-off: 7:15 PM ACST (Australian Central Standard Time)​Saturday, July 19: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions – First Test​ Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​Tuesday, July 22: First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. British & Irish Lions​ Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​Saturday, July 26: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions – Second Test​ Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​ August 2025 Saturday, August 2: Australia vs. British & Irish Lions – Third Test​ Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney​Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST​ Note: Kick-off times are local to the venue. For viewers in Dublin (IST), adjust accordingly. For example, Perth is 7 hours ahead of Dublin, so the match on June 28 kicks off at 12:45 PM IST.