Rory Best says Andy Farrell will thrive as Ireland coach after Joe Schmidt’s exit

Ulster and Lions hooker Best has risen to captain Ireland under Schmidt, succeeding Paul O’Connell as skipper.

The 36-year-old has led Ireland to a historic third Six Nations Grand Slam and the nation’s first two victories over back-to-back world champions New Zealand.

Kiwi Schmidt has dragged Ireland from eighth to second in the world rankings in five years at the helm.

Farrell will face a tall order in building on Schmidt’s excellence, but Best believes the former Wigan rugby league star has all the right attributes for success.

“He’s never happy with our defence, even though New Zealand didn’t score a try against us [earlier this month], he was still saying we can do this better, we can do that better,” added Best.

“He is driven. It’s all about perfection, it’s all about being driven and trying to be better.”