Despite being born in England, Easterby turned down the opportunity to play for
England under
Clive Woodward.
Ireland Easterby made his first international appearance in a
2000 Six Nations Championship victory over
Scotland at
Lansdowne Road. He then became a regular in the side, being ever-present for the remainder of that Six Nations competition. Easterby then played in all three of the games during the summer tour but he missed all of the following season due to injury and did not return until the game against Scotland in September 2001. After Ireland's defeat, he lost his place but he did win a cap as a replacement against
Samoa in November 2001. In 2002, he played a part in the first 10 of Ireland's games – eight as a starter – but after that, he lost his place and he did not return until playing in two tests during the summer tour of 2003 against
Tonga and Samoa. Following injuries to
Paul O'Connell and
Brian O'Driscoll he was named captain for the
2005 Autumn internationals. He was virtually ever-present for Ireland since then; he has received in total 65 caps and scored 40 points. He was described as the "elder statesman among Ireland's back-row options" in 2007. Easterby played in one more Six Nations Championship in 2008, after which he retired from international rugby to concentrate on his club career.
British & Irish Lions Easterby received a call-up to the
2005 Lions tour to New Zealand after
Lawrence Dallaglio fractured his ankle in the first game. He was selected twice for the test team and scored a try in the second test in Wellington. ==Coaching==