Ireland’s new head coach, Simon Easterby, is no stranger to Irish rugby fans, having been a fan favourite during his playing days and now stepping up to lead the national team.
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Easterby takes over the reins as Andy Farrell prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia. Easterby, who earned 65 caps in a green jersey, is well-equipped for the role, bringing a wealth of experience to Ireland’s Six Nations campaign in 2025.
His coaching credentials include leading Ireland’s 2022 tour of South Africa, where he was front and centre. Born to an Irish mother from Blackrock, Dublin, Easterby’s journey with the national side continues as his tenure as head coach begins on 1 December 2024.
Who Is Sarra Elgan?
Backing Simon Easterby every step of the way is his wife, Sarra Elgan, a well-known sports presenter in her own right. Sarra, 44, hails from Neath in Wales and has rugby in her blood, being the daughter of former Wales and British Lions rugby player Elgan Rees and Kathryn Rees.
Sarra has made her mark on the broadcasting world, starting her punditry career in 2007. Over the years, she has worked for major sports networks, including ESPN, TNT Sport, and Sky Sports, where she covered the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa.
Proud of Her Identity
Sarra is unapologetically herself on and off the screen. Known for her glamorous appearance, she embraces her love for beauty while passionately advocating for her love of rugby. “Yes, I’m blonde, yes I love fake tan, yes I love make-up.
“But it doesn’t take away from the fact that I love rugby and I know rugby,” she shared in an interview.
She added: “Everyone has to be themselves. You shouldn’t have to change the way you are to conform. That’s always been really important to me.”
Family Life
Simon and Sarra Easterby are proud parents of two children. Their daughter, Soffia, born in 2007, is a talented hockey player, while their son, Ffredi, born in 2009, is already following in his father’s rugby footsteps.
The Three Richest Couples in World Rugby
Rugby has produced some of the most iconic athletes in the sporting world, but for a select few, success on the pitch has also led to immense wealth off it.
From high-profile marriages to lucrative endorsements and television appearances, these rugby stars have built financial empires.
Here’s a look at three couples who have combined their sporting legacies with fame and fortune, amassing millions along the way.
Mike and Zara Tindall – £20m
Mike Tindall is known not just for his rugby prowess but for his royal connections. As the husband of Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Tindall has become a prominent figure in British media.
Nicknamed “The Fridge” due to his imposing physique, Tindall was a stalwart on the rugby field, famously breaking his nose at least eight times over the course of his career. Since retiring from the sport, he’s made a name for himself in the entertainment world, appearing on popular reality shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club, and All-Star Poker Challenge.
Despite his success in sports and entertainment, Tindall’s wealth has been largely bolstered by his royal ties, with his net worth estimated at £20 million, according to British media.