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Garry Ringrose says Simon Easterby remains ‘dead focused’ on his role as Ireland’s interim head coach amid reports he could be the next Wales boss.
The 49-year-old has guided the side to two bonus-point wins to start their Six Nations campaign with usual head coach Andy Farrell on secondment with the British and Irish Lions.
He has, however, been linked to the Wales job following confirmation of Warren Gatland’s departure on Wednesday.
The former back row was a player and head coach with Scarlets and still lives in Wales, who Ireland play in Cardiff on 22 February.
“I only heard it off one of the lads but, sure, it’s not a thing at all,” said Ringrose of the reported interest.
“Simon is dead focused on trying to prepare as best we can and that’s aligned with what the players are driving to.”
Ireland’s head of athletic performance Aled Walters, who worked at Scarlets when Easterby was a player, feels such “speculation” was inevitable.
“He’s that good a coach that there’s always going to be speculation in professional sport, that’s human nature,” said Walters.
“There’s been a change with Wales, and the fact that he lives there, he was always going to be linked.
“That’s the quality of the man. Credit to him and credit to the group, nothing has been said about it.
“We just carry on preparing for Wales as we would normally.”
Walters, who joined the Irish staff last year, has been impressed by how Easterby has taken to the head coach’s role having been an assistant on the ticket for more than a decade.
“He’s really brought his own flavour to things. It’s been great to see,” he added.
“Even in the autumn, he’s a leader. It’s not like he’s been sat back in the shadows and all of a sudden thrust into the limelight.
“It hasn’t felt that different. He’s been there the whole time.”