Andy Farrell snubs offer to return to England team

Ireland assistant coach Andy Farrell has turned down an offer to return to England according to a report by The Daily Mail.

Farrell joined Joe Schmidt's Ireland coaching team as a defence coach in January 2016 and helped the team to a Six Nations and Grand Slam title last season. The former centre was reportedly offered the chance to replace Paul Gustard as England's defence coach this summer but he has instead opted to remain with Schmidt and Ireland ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan. Meanwhile according to Netwerk24, the Bulls and the English RFU have been negotiating a transfer fee for former All Blacks coach John Mitchell over the past few weeks. The report added that the two parties will agree over a fee of R4 million (around £218 000) that will see the Bulls coach succeed Gustard as England's defence coach. Mitchell endured a dismal first season in charge of the Bulls as the Pretorian side won just six of 16 games to finish in last place in the South African Conference of Super Rugby.