The candidates for young players from Cowbridge Rugby Club and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg in the Glamorgan Valley on the outskirts of Cardiff will be particularly interested observers of the Six Nations clash of England with Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
It is not much needed for those of Welsh persuasion to support anyone but England, but this time there is more about why their support will be firmly for men in green than only historical rivalry. The chief coach of Ireland for this championship is Simon Easterby, who has been promoted from his assistant role with the usual boss Andy Farrell now in the duty of the Lions.
While Easterby has worked during the last 11 years with the strikers of Ireland and in his defense and spends long periods in Dublin, as a result, his family home remains in Wales. The former 49 -year -old Flanker is married to the TNT Sarra Elgan sports station. The couple has two children: Soffia and Ffredi.
In his inactivity time outside the tasks of Ireland, Easterby has helped play a part -time role in the training of his son FFredi in Cowbridge and Bro Morgannwg.
Last March, Easterby Senior lifted the title of the six nations for the second consecutive year in the same week that his son tested the success of high school at the main stadium for the second time.
It was seven special days for the Easterby family.
Simon Easterby is taking a step forward to serve as chief coach of Ireland during the six nations
Easterby has been placed interim from Ireland with Andy Farrell, on the right, in the duty of the lions
In addition to his role with Ireland, Easterby has played a part -time role in his son Ffredi's training
Not many coaches who work in the six nations can also say that they do their part at the base level, but Easterby is undoubtedly one.
“My child plays for Cowbridge Rugby Club, but I have also helped a little with his school,” he told Mail Sport, before his first game of the six nations as head of Ireland.
'I loved and I have been very lucky to have the opportunity to do so. They have competed in the Principality stadium and won a couple of trophies there over the years.
However, I really can't take any credit for that. His year group at school won the Cup of Welsh Year Schools 10, which was really pleasant, very special. I accompanied myself and I have been Waterboy!
'My role has been very minimal, but I loved the opportunity. I have been very lucky to be invited by the school and the head of Rugby.
'I enjoy spending time with children and seeing them develop.
I have session this year. I did about four last year. They had done all the hard work to reach the semifinals and the final and I only took the glory!
Easterby minimizes his role as base coach, but his mere presence in the Glamorgan Valley is an inspiration for those involved.
Easterby will have the task of bringing to Ireland to a third successive win in the six nations
Your transition to paper should be without problems having served for more than a decade in the configuration.
Easterby has worked with former chief coach Joe Schmidt, right and Farrell with Ireland
Cowbridge Rugby Club was also a regular den of the former chief coach of Wales, Wayne Pivac, who lived close during his time in the highest profile of the Rugby Wales Union.
On Saturday afternoon, Easterby's training credentials were certainly tested while facing Steve Borthwick England in Dublin. Under Farrell, Ireland has won the last two championships, so there is pressure on Easterby to be a hat-trick.
But his transition to the main man should be fluid since he has been part of the Irish configuration for more than a decade and has learned from Farrell and his predecessor Joe Schmidt.
Ireland also has a phenomenal squad of players to resort, even if first choice strikers Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy are injured by their first game with England.
In addition, Easterby has also previously directed the emerging Ireland coaching staff in the past, the country is a team. It is not as if they lack experience.
'It is a different dynamic when the group leads. You are thinking about things slightly different instead of being an assistant, “Easterby said.
'As a chief coach, you must look at the game a little more holistically. We are really lucky in Ireland, we have a large management group that does not take administration, if that makes sense. I am very lucky to have been in my role in the team since I did it.
'This is, I suppose, a natural progression and I evolve my role a bit. I am lucky that the union has seen confidence in me to do that. I am delighted to have the opportunity, but I want to hug and enjoy it.
Easterby and Ireland will be tested in their first six -nations match against England
Ireland also has a phenomenal squad of players to call and are the favorites of the six nations
Easterby admits that he has been trying to put his own seal on things and is adopting the role
'I have been lucky to be in this group for 11 years and I loved my time as an assistant. I have worked less than two great chief coaches in Joe and Faz.
“I will certainly take a lot of what they delivered to the team over the years in the next six or eight weeks, but I will also try to put my stamp on things.”
Easterby has certainly done so in the last fortnight, leaving Ireland strong favorites to begin his 2025 campaign with the victory over England.
If they do, Esmeralda Island will be more than happy and also a small portion of southern Wales, the area that Easterby still calls home.