Andrew Goodman: Leinster assistant to replace Mike Catt as Ireland backs coach
- Published
Andrew Goodman (right) pictured with Jacques Nienaber (left), who joined the Leinster coaching team after guiding South Africa to the World Cup
Leinster assistant coach Andrew Goodman will replace Mike Catt as Ireland's backs coach at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old former fly-half will work in head coach Andy Farrell's backroom team until 2027.
The Irish Rugby Football Union last week announced Catt would be leaving at the end of the campaign, having extended Farrell's deal to 2027.
Goodman has been in his current role at Leinster since 2022, having also played for the Blues between 2012 and 2014.
The New Zealander also worked in the National Provincial Championship with Tasman Mako and helped Crusaders win the Super Rugby title in 2022.
He was part of Samoa's coaching team at this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
"This has obviously been a very difficult decision to make in one way because I have loved coming back to Leinster," said Goodman.
"A team that I loved playing with and a team that I love coaching. I'd like to thank Leo [Cullen, Leinster head coach] 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 this club and this group of players and the supporters that we have."