Former England assistant coach Andy Farrell has been appointed as the new defence coach for Ireland.

The 40-year-old carried out the same role for England under former head coach Stuart Lancaster before leaving alongside fellow assistants Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt following a disastrous World Cup campaign.

However, it has taken the former dual-code international less than a month to find a new job, with the Irish Rugby Football Union announcing their decision to appoint him as coach under Joe Schmidt.

Farrell will begin the role after this year's Six Nations, and ahead of Ireland's June tour to face South Africa, with his contract running until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

"It's great to have Andy coming into our coaching team. The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us," Schmidt said in a statement.

Farrell also added: "To have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me. With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can't wait to get started."

Farrell will replace Ulster head coach Les Kiss on the backroom staff for Ireland.