NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Ireland national rugby union team

The Ireland rugby union team, represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in rugby union, a popular sport throughout Ireland although the dominant one only in limited geographical areas. Ireland compete annually in the Six Nations Championship (which they have won ten times outright and of which they have shared the championship eight times) and in the Rugby World Cup every four years where they have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage in all but one competition. They also form a quarter of the British and Irish Lions. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. ... The Shamrock Oxalis acetosella as The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leafed old white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhÃ¡n) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuÃ). However... Croke Park (Irish: PÃ¡irc an ChrÃ³caigh) in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports stadium in Ireland and the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Irelands biggest sporting organisation. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Eddie OSullivan (born November 21, 1958) is the current head coach of the Ireland rugby union team. ... Brian Gerald ODriscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... Malcolm OKelly (born 19 July 1974 in Chelmsford, England) is an Irish rugby player who currently plays as a lock for Ireland internationally and Leinster at club level. ... Ronan John Ross OGara (born 7 March 1977, San Diego, California, U.S.) is an Irish rugby union footballer, occupying the fly-half position (usually called out half in Ireland and first five-eighths in New Zealand) for both Munster and Ireland. ... Brian Gerald ODriscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. ... Image File history File links left arm of kit template File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links left arm of kit template File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Kit_body_thindarkgreensides. ... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4â€“1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win England 134â€“0 Romania (17 November 2001) Worst defeat Australia 76â€“0 England (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... (Redirected from 10 June) June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... The first Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand and Australia in 1987, and was won by New Zealand. ... The first Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand and Australia in 1987, and was won by New Zealand. ... This article is about the mens Rugby World Cup held in 1991. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ... The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth rugby union world cup. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 kmÂ², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ... The RBS 6 Nations Championship, (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides: France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ... For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... First match Otago 3 - 8 Great Britain (28 April 1888) Largest win Manawatu 6 - 109 British & Irish Lions (28 June 2005) Worst defeat New Zealand 38 - 6 Lions (16 July 1983) The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or more colloquially the...

Historically, Ireland have been the least successful of the rugby union home nations, with the fewest number of Six Nations Championships (10) and Grand Slams (one). Ireland have also been regular winners of the wooden spoon in the Six Nations Championship and its predecessor tournaments. However, Irish rugby union is widely acknowledged ^[1] to have made the transition to professionalism more successfully than other middle-ranking rugby powers (such as Wales and Scotland) and Ireland have churned out good results, especially for a nation with a population of only six million (when combining the Republic and the North) with strong competition for players with Gaelic Games and soccer. They have won three Triple Crowns in the last four years. Outside centre Brian O'Driscoll, the current captain and Ireland's current all-time leading try scorer, is frequently named as one of the finest rugby players in the world. Other world class players on the side include centre Gordon D'Arcy; wing Denis Hickie, currently second to O'Driscoll on the Ireland try scoring list; eight, Denis Leamy; lock, Paul O'Connell; out half and all-time leading Ireland points scorer Ronan O'Gara; and back row forward, David Wallace. In the recent past, Keith Wood, O'Driscoll's predecessor as Ireland captain before retiring in 2003, was the inaugural IRB International Player of the Year in 2001. Home Nations (often written as the common noun home nations) is a term used to refer to the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom â€” England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland â€” collectively but as separate entities, distinct from the United Kingdom as a state. ... The RBS 6 Nations Championship, (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides: France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ... A Grand Slam can be completed in two ways in rugby union. ... A wooden spoon is a spoon, usually used in food preparation, that is made of wood. ... The RBS 6 Nations Championship, (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides: France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ... Gaelic games are the native sports of Ireland: principally Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie. ... Soccer redirects here. ... In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the national teams of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as part of the Six Nations Championship. ... Brian Gerald ODriscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. ... Gordon William DArcy (born February 10, 1980 in Wexford) is an Irish rugby player, more specifically an inside centre. ... Denis Anthony Hickie is a professional rugby union footballer employed by the Irish Rugby Football Union. ... Denis Leamy (born 27 November 1981 in Tipperary) and educated at Rockwell College. ... Paul OConnell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick [1] ) is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. ... Ronan John Ross OGara (born 7 March 1977, San Diego, California, U.S.) is an Irish rugby union footballer, occupying the fly-half position (usually called out half in Ireland and first five-eighths in New Zealand) for both Munster and Ireland. ... David Wallace (born 8 July 1976 in Limerick) is a powerful rugby union back row forward, a key member of the Irish international team and Munster Rugby province. ... Keith Wood (born 27 January 1972 in Killaloe) is a former international rugby union footballer who played hooker for Ireland, the Lions, Harlequins and Munster. ... These are the Awards that were Given out by the IRB from 2001 - 2006 : 2006 IRB International Player of the Year: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) IRB International Team of the Year: New Zealand IRB International Coach of the Year: Graham Henry (New Zealand) IRB International U19 Player of the Year... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ...

After their 2006 Autumn internationals match against Australia, Ireland climbed to third in the world on the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Rankings; a position they had not seen since the ratings began in 2003.^[2] Despite remaining unbeaten in the end of year Tests, they dropped to fifth in the world rankings, before rising to fourth after their opening 2007 Six Nations victory over Wales, but have recently dropped back to fifth after the 2007 Six Nations defeat to France but bounced back in their follow up match against England with a record 43-13 victory. They recently won the 2007 Triple Crown trophy narrowly defeating Scotland 19-18 in Murrayfield,^[2] and lost the 2007 Six Nations Championship to France when Elvis Vermeulen of Les Bleus was awarded a try by the Irish television match official at the death against Scotland that gave them the championship on points difference. Ireland performed well below par in the 2007 World Cup. They were knocked out in the pool stages after losing to Argentina. During November of 2006, several rugby union nations will play fixtures that will be contested in the northern hemisphere nations - the Autumn internationals. ... The IRB World Rankings is a ranking system for mens national teams in rugby union. ... First international England 30 â€“ 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 â€“ 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 â€“ 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6/6 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as... The 2007 Six Nations Championship will be the eighth series of the rugby union Six Nations Championship to be held since the competition expanded in 2000 to include Italy. ... In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the national teams of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as part of the Six Nations Championship. ... Rugby was played at Croke Park for the first time, seen here during the Irish-French match. ... Elvis Vermeulen is a French rugby union footballer, currently playing for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the top level of French rugby, the Top 14 competition. ... First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4 - 1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win Scotland 100 - 8 Japan (13 November 2004) Worst defeat Scotland 10 - 68 South Africa (6 December 1997) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result 4th 1991 The Scotland national rugby union team...

History

Early years

Caid is an ancient sport played in Ireland with strong similarities to rugby, it was played within a defined space and between a predetermined number of players. However, rugby does not seem to have evolved out of caid. The Cork born Peter Shorten founded a club at Joe's chipper in 1854, in Cork. By 1867, Trinity second XV were playing matches against St. Columba’s College and Hume High Street, two Leinster schools and, importantly for the game in the north of the country, Royal School, Dungannon. Following the adoption of a set of official rules in 1868, rugby football began to spread quickly throughout Ireland. Caid was the name used for a collection of various ancient and traditional Irish football games. ...

In 1874, the Irish Football Union (reconstituted as the Irish Rugby Football Union after unification with the North of Ireland Union) was formed. Ireland lost their first test match against England 7-0 at the Oval on the 15th February 1875. Interestingly, both teams fielded 20 players in this match.[1] Ireland's first home game was also against England in the same year held at the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines as Lansdowne Road was deemed unsuitable. The first match at Lansdowne Road was held on March 11, 1878 with England beating Ireland by 2 goals and 1 try to nil. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Leister Cricket Club complex, Dublin, Ireland Leinster Cricket Club was founded in 1852. ... Rathmines (RÃ¡th Maonais in Irish) is a suburb on the southside of Dublin, about 3 kilometres south of the city centre. ... A DART train passes under the Lansdowne Road Rugby Football Stadium and over the level crossing as it enters the station of the same name. ...

It was not until 1881 that they first won a test, against Scotland at Ormeau in Belfast. Ireland turned up two men short for their game in Cardiff in 1884 and had to borrow two Welsh players. The first victory Ireland had at Lansdowne Road took place on February 5th, 1887. It was also their first win over England, by two goals to nil. On the third of March 1888, Ireland recorded their first win over Wales with a goal, a try and a drop goal to nil. First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4 - 1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win Scotland 100 - 8 Japan (13 November 2004) Worst defeat Scotland 10 - 68 South Africa (6 December 1997) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result 4th 1991 The Scotland national rugby union team...

In 1894 for the first time, Ireland followed the Welsh model of using seven backs instead of six. After victory over England at Blackheath, Ireland won back-to-back matches for the first time when recording their first win over Scotland on 24 February 1894. Ireland went on to beat Wales in Belfast and win the Triple Crown for the first time.

In the 1890s Rugby was primarily a game for the Protestant middle class, the only Catholic in Edmund Forrest’s 1894 team was Tom Crean. Of the eighteen players used in the three games, thirteen were from three Dublin clubs –Wanderers, Dublin University and Bective Rangers – and the remaining five were from Ulster. They went on to win the Home international championship twice more before the old century was out (1896 and 1899), so that by 1900 all four of the Home Unions had tasted success at a game that was growing in popularity with players and spectators. Thomas Joseph Crean (VC, DSO) Born Northbrook Road, Dublin, 19 April 1848. ... The RBS 6 Nations Championship, (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides: France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ...

Twentieth century

Such was the level of interest in the visit of the first All Blacks team to Dublin in November 1905 that the IRFU made the match the first all-ticket rugby international in history. Ireland played only seven forwards, copying the then New Zealand method of playing a "rover". The game ended New Zealand 15 Ireland 0. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 The All Blacks are New Zealands national rugby...

On March 20 1909, Ireland played France for the first time, beating them 19-8. This was Ireland's biggest victory in international rugby at that time, their highest points tally and a record five tries. November 30, 1912 was the first time the Springboks met Ireland at Lansdowne Road, the 1906 tour game having been played at Ravenhill. Ireland with seven new caps were overwhelmed by a record margin of 38-0, still a record loss to South Africa who scored 10 tries. In 1926, Ireland went into their final Five Nations match unbeaten and with the Grand Slam at stake lost to Wales in Swansea. Ireland again came close to a grand slam in 1927 when their sole loss was a 8-6 defeat by England.

Post war

Ireland's finest hour arguably came in 1948 when, inspired by tactician and fly-half Jack Kyle, they beat France in Paris, England at Twickenham and a 6-0 win over Scotland at Lansdowne Road. They clinched their only Grand Slam in the Five Nations with a win against Wales at Ravenhill, Belfast. Ireland were champions and Triple Crown winners again in 1949. John Wilson Kyle (born 10 February 1926 in Belfast) is a former Irish rugby union footballer. ... A Grand Slam can be completed in two ways in rugby union. ...

The Irish used only 19 players in clinching the 1949 Championship and Triple Crown, only the fourth time that the Triple Crown had been retained by a home nation.

In 1951, Ireland were once more crowned outright Five Nations champions and were unbeaten going into their final game. They failed to win the Grand Slam or Triple Crown following a 3-3 draw with Wales in Cardiff.

The year of 1952 saw only Ireland's second overseas tour, the first for over half a century - as they headed to Argentina for a nine-match trip which included two Test matches. Ireland won six, drew two and lost one of the matches, their Test record being won one, drawn one.

On February 27 1954, Ireland were due to play Scotland at Ravenhill in Belfast. The new Irish captain, Jim McCarthy, told IRFU president Sarsfield Hogan that the eleven Republic-based players would not stand for "God save the Queen" alongside the Scottish team. It was agreed that an abbreviated anthem, known in Ulster as "the Salute", would be played that afternoon and that the Irish team would never play again at Ravenhill. Ireland went on to beat Scotland 6-0 but would not play in Northern Ireland again until 2007.[2] Ravenhill Stadium is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... This article is about the city in Northern Ireland. ...

On January 18, 1958 Ireland beat Australia 9-6 in Dublin, this was the first time a major touring team had been defeated.

Sixties and seventies

Ireland managed just three victories in the Five Nations Championship; against England in 1961, Wales in 1963 and England again in 1964. There were also draws against England and Wales at Lansdowne Road to the end of 1964.

1965 saw an improvement as Ireland drew with France before beating England and Scotland, only for their Triple Crown hopes disappear against Wales in Cardiff. On April 10, 1965 Ireland recorded their first ever win over South Africa. The match, held at Lansdowne Road, was heading for a draw with the score at six points each, when Tom Kiernan won the match for Ireland with a late penalty. Ireland beat Australia again in Dublin in 1967 and became the first of the home nations to win in the Southern Hemisphere when they beat Australia in Sydney in May 1967. The Home Nations is a name to collectively describe the four nations of the United Kingdom: the countries of England, Scotland and Wales, and the province of Northern Ireland. ...

On the 26th of October 1968, Ireland made it four successive wins over the Wallabies with a 16-3 win at Lansdowne Road.

In 1969, Ireland claimed a 17-9 victory over France at Lansdowne Road in the Five Nations, a first victory over Les Bleus in 11 years. They were again unbeaten going into their final game in Cardiff but Wales denied them a Grand Slam for the third time. In the autumn of 1969, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to appoint a coach for the national team for the first time, the role went to Ronnie Dawson. Ronald F. Ronnie Dawson (born August 11, 1939 in Dallas, Texas; died September 23, 2003 in Dallas, Texas) was an American rockabilly musician, although he was more popular in England than back home. ...

The 1972 Five Nations Championship was not completed when Scotland and then Wales refused to play in Ireland following threatening letters to players, purportedly from the IRA. The championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. In 1973, despite similar threats, England fulfilled their fixture and were given a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. Ireland won 18-9 and at the after-match dinner the England captain, John Pullin famously remarked "We might not be very good but at least we turn up". Ireland came close to a first win over the All Blacks on January 20, 1973 but with the score at 10-10 an Irish conversion attempt was pushed wide by a gust of wind. In the final match of the 1974 season, Ireland won their first six nations championship since 1951. Roly Meates was national coach from 1975 to 1977. The 1972 Five Nations Championship of rugby union was incomplete, for the first time since World War II. Scotland and Wales refused to travel to Dublin to play Ireland because members of their teams had received anonymous threatening letters, purportedly from the IRA. Anti-British sentiment was strong in Ireland... The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish: Ã“glaigh na hÃ‰ireann) (IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA.[2]) is an Irish Republican, left wing[3] paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern... John Pullin is a former England international rugby union player. ... T.W.Roland Roly Meates is a former Ireland national rugby union team coach and chairman of the Irish Rugby Football Union board of selectors. ...

Eighties and nineties

In 1982 Ireland came close to winning a Grand Slam but were beaten by France in Paris. They beat Scotland, Wales and England to win the championship and their first Triple Crown in 33 years.

Three years after their last Triple Crown win, Ireland, coached by Mick Doyle, came out in 1985 and won the Championship and the Triple Crown again. They beat Scotland and Wales. The French again prevented Ireland from claiming a Grand Slam after a 15-15 draw in Dublin. Ireland played England at Lansdowne Road and won the championship with a last minute drop goal from Michael Kiernan. The match ended 13-10 to Ireland. It would be Ireland's last silverware until 2004. Mick Doyle (October 13, 1941 - May 11, 2004) was an Irish rugby player and coach. ... A DART train passes under the Lansdowne Road Rugby Football Stadium and over the level crossing as it enters the station of the same name. ...

Ireland were whitewashed in the 1986 Five Nations Championship but on November 1, 1986, Ireland made history when they scored 10 tries against Romania in a 60-0 win. It was the biggest win in international rugby at the time, equaling the French record set in 1967.

At the inaugural World Cup in 1987, two straightforward victories over Tonga and Canada were enough to see Ireland through to the quarter-finals, when they travelled to Sydney to face the joint hosts Australia, only to be beaten 35-15.

In the Five Nations, England and France were dominant throughout the decade, resulting in the others scrapping around for the odd Championship title. Ireland didn't manage to win the trophy once in the whole decade and worse never finished outside the bottom two.

The second Rugby World Cup took place in Britain, Ireland and France in 1991. Ireland found themselves in the same pool as Scotland. After two easy wins over Japan and Zimbabwe, Scotland sneaked a 28-25 win at Murrayfield. Ireland would play the Wallabies at Lansdowne Road in the quarter final. Ireland appeared to be on the verge of a shock victory over Australia, when Michael Lynagh scored the winning try to clinch a 19-18 win for Australia.

At the 1994 Five Nations Championship, Ireland beat Will Carling's all-conquering England at Twickenham.

At the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, Ireland were in a group containing the All Blacks and Wales. In a close game in Johannesburg, Ireland sneaked through 24-23 against Wales to make their third consecutive quarter-final appearance. Unfortunately France proved too strong, with Ireland going down 36-12.

Professional era

Three years running Ireland finished bottom in the Five Nations Championship (1996, 1997 and 1998). Englishman Brian Ashton was head coach between 1997 and 1998. Ashton had been awarded a six year contract by the IRFU but resigned barely 12 months later after a series of disappointing results. Warren Gatland took over as coach in 1998. 1999 was the first time Ireland had failed to reach the last eight at a Rugby World Cup. From this nadir, however, Irish rugby improved rapidly. With the advent of professionalism, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to convert the four representative provincial sides into de facto club sides, with the financial capacity to retain top talent in Ireland, yet retaining strong links with amateur clubs and schools to enable young talent to be brought up through the ranks. The close geographical proximity of most of the Irish international squad helped cement relationships between the players in a way that would not have been possible had they left for English, French and Southern Hemisphere clubs. The later formation of the Celtic League (Now Magners League) cemented this strategy by ensuring that provincial sides had a regular diet of competitive rugby. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 1. ... W. Brian Ashton (born 3 September 1946 in Leigh, Lancashire) is the current England national rugby union teams Head Coach, appointed 20 December 2006. ... Warren David Gatland (born 17 September 1963 in Hamilton, New Zealand and educated at Hamilton Boys High School and Waikato University) is a former All Black and the current Coach of the Waikato Air New Zealand Cup team. ... The Celtic League, currently known as the Magners League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. ...

The 1999 World Cup was staged in Wales though Ireland played all their pool games in Dublin. A defeat to the Wallabies meant Ireland having to go down the play-off route. Playing away from Lansdowne Road for the first time in the competition, Ireland were beaten 28-24 by Argentina in Lens.

The advent of the new Six Nations format coincided with this Irish resurgence, and they became the strongest of the Celtic nations. In 2001 the rugby union season was disrupted due to the foot and mouth crisis in Britain. Ireland were good enough to beat France but were unable to play Scotland until the Autumn and were caught cold losing 32-10. They were still good enough to beat England, spoiling their hopes of a Grand Slam, and finishing second on points difference. Eddie O'Sullivan took over as coach from Warren Gatland in November 2001 following the New Zealander's sacking. Eddie OSullivan (born November 21, 1958) is the current head coach of the Ireland rugby union team. ...

The 2003 Six Nations came down to the wire with Ireland and England playing a Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Rd. England, however, won 42-6. That defeat ended an unbeaten run that stretched back 10 Tests to their Rugby World Cup qualifiers warm up against Romania in September 2002 and included defeats of Pool A rivals Australia and Argentina at Lansdowne Road. In 2004 they lost their opening game against France but became the first team to beat England following their World Cup win. They finished second in the table behind France and won the Triple Crown. First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4â€“1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win England 134â€“0 Romania (17 November 2001) Worst defeat Australia 76â€“0 England (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents... The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup was the fifth world cup in rugby history. ... In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the national teams of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as part of the Six Nations Championship. ...

In 2005 Ireland were considered slight favourites entering the competition, and won their first three matches, including a 19-13 defeat of England in Dublin. However, Ireland's dreams of their first Grand Slam since 1948 were ended with a 26-19 home loss to France. In the final round, Wales defeated Ireland 32-20 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam. Ireland finished in 3rd place. In 2006, Ireland showed the capacity to play top class rugby, but only inconsistently - a rout of Wales was balanced by uncertain victories against England, Scotland and Italy and a comprehensive defeat by winners France. Ireland finished second and won the Triple Crown for the second time in three years, incidentally the first ever time a trophy had been awarded for the feat. First international England 30 â€“ 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 â€“ 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 â€“ 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6/6 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as... The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm), is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff, and is used primarily for rugby union and football home internationals. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ...

They then embarked on their annual tour to the southern hemisphere. There they ran New Zealand close twice before a tired Ireland were thumped by the Wallabies in Perth. They returned to their clubs before they gathered once more for the last Autumn Internationals at Lansdowne Road. The South Africans came with an experimental side with an eye on the Rugby World Cup 2007, which was soundly beaten by the Irish 32-15. Next to Lansdowne were Australia also experimenting, the weather ruined what many had tipped to be the battle of the backlines, although Geordan Murphy finished off a world class move in their 21-6 victory. That win propelled Ireland to a best ever height of 3rd in the IRB World Rankings. In the final international match at Lansdowne, Ireland thumped the Pacific Islanders 61-17,with Paddy Wallace putting in a man of the match performance with 26 points. The win completed a hat-trick of victories.

In March 2007 the IRFU created the "High Performance Select Group" of up and coming Irish players who have been earmarked for future Irish teams. This group includes Luke Fitzgerald, Barry Murphy, Tommy Bowe, Kieran Lewis, Ronnie McCormack, Trevor Hogan, Robert Kearney, Daniel Riordan, Stephen Ferris , Roger Wilson, Bryan Young and Jamie Heaslip some of whom have already been capped. The aim of the group is to provide these young players with the support and infrastructure available to the senior squad and to ease their future transition into the Irish team.[3] This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Tommy Bowe (born 22 February 1984) is an Irish rugby union footballer from Monaghan, Ireland. ... Robert Kearney is the fastest thing known to man. ... Sophie Wilson, formerly Roger Wilson, is a British computer scientist. ... Bryan Young (born 6 November 1981) is an Irish rugby union footballer, Ireland. ...

With the announcement of the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required to stage Ireland's home internationals. While Ireland are planning to play one of their warm up matches for the 2007 World Cup at Ravenhill, the only stadium in Ireland capable of holding major rugby internationals was Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association. To accommodate this, the GAA temporarily relaxed its rule governing the playing of so-called "foreign games" on its property. Initially, two Six Nations games were played at Croke Park during 2007; the first was a 17-20 loss to France, and the second a 43 to 13 win over England. A DART train passes under the Lansdowne Road Rugby Football Stadium and over the level crossing as it enters the station of the same name. ... Ravenhill Stadium is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... Croke Park (Irish: PÃ¡irc an ChrÃ³caigh) in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports stadium in Ireland and the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Irelands biggest sporting organisation. ... For other uses, see GAA (disambiguation). ...

Flags and anthems

The Irish rugby union team is one of a few national sporting teams on the island that draws widespread support in both "Irelands" from both nationalist and unionist communities. As Ireland represents players from different sovereign territories, there has been controversy over the flags and anthems. When Irish internationals were played alternately in Belfast and Dublin, the British national anthem "God Save the Queen" was played for matches in Belfast and the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland "Amhrán na bhFiann" was played for matches in Dublin. No anthem was played at away games. Image File history File links Four_Provinces_Flag. ... Image File history File links Four_Provinces_Flag. ... Publication of an early version in The Gentlemans Magazine, 15 October 1745. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogising the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognised either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... (pronounced ) is the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland. ...

Since April 1995, a specially composed anthem, "Ireland's Call" has been used by the Irish team in away games.^[3] This has prompted some players and supporters from the Republic to complain that "Amhrán na bhFiann" should be played.^[4] At games played in Dublin "Ireland's Call" is always used alongside "Amhrán na bhFiann".^[5] This use of "Amhrán na bhFiann" has caused similar complaints from players and supporters from Northern Ireland. With Ireland's friendly game against Italy in the run up to the Rugby World Cup scheduled to be held in Belfast, there were calls for "God Save the Queen" to be used alongside Ireland's Call but this was turned down by the IRFU ^[6] with the explanation given that it was not a 'home' match because the team would be playing "outside Ireland" ^[7]. Irelands Call is a song commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union for use at international rugby union fixtures featuring the Irish rugby union team. ... Irelands Call is a song commissioned by the Irish Rugby Football Union for use at international rugby union fixtures featuring the Irish rugby union team. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the body managing rugby football in Ireland. ...

Similarly, the Irish tricolour, the official flag of the Republic of Ireland is flown only when playing in the Republic and even then not as being representative of the team. A flag with symbols representing the four provinces of Ireland, is flown alongside the Irish tricolour in Dublin, and is used exclusively when playing elsewhere. At some matches, the standard of the island's rugby union governing body, the Irish Rugby Football Union, is displayed on the field during pre-match ceremonies. Many supporters in the crowd at Ireland matches wave the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, though part of Ireland is not in the Republic of Ireland. Many supporters in the crowd at Ulster games (one of the four professional Irish teams) wave Northern Ireland flags though part of Ulster is in the Republic of Ireland. The national flag of the Republic of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach NÃ¡isiÃºnta), also known as the tricolour,[1] is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. ...

Home grounds

The traditional home of Irish rugby is the Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin, where most of Ireland's home matches are held. The stadium, owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union, was built in 1872 and is the oldest international rugby venue that is still used for the sport. In 1878 the ground hosted its first rugby Test, with Ireland playing host to the English (the first representative rugby match had taken place prior to the Test, a game between Ulster and Leinster). Lansdowne Road had a capacity of just over 49,000 before it was demolished in Summer 2007. The ground will be renovated up to a 50,000 all-seater by around 2009. The final Irish Test prior to work commencing on the stadium was against the Pacific Islanders in late 2006. With Lansdowne Road unavailable for use, Ireland was without a suitbale home ground for the subsequent Six Nations. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) owned Croke Park (an 82,500 capacity stadium) was made available for Ireland's two home games against France and England in 2007. It was the first time ever that rugby was played at the venue. Image File history File links Leinster2006. ... Image File history File links Leinster2006. ... A DART train passes under the Lansdowne Road Rugby Football Stadium and over the level crossing as it enters the station of the same name. ... A DART train passes under the Lansdowne Road Rugby Football Stadium and over the level crossing as it enters the station of the same name. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ... First match Queensland Reds 29 - 48 Pacific Islanders (20 June 2004) Largest win NSW Waratahs 21 - 68 Pacific Islanders (25 June 2004) Worst defeat Ireland 61 - 17 Pacific Islanders (26 November 2006) The Pacific Islanders rugby union team (usually known as just Pacific Islanders) are an international rugby union team... For other uses, see GAA (disambiguation). ... Croke Park (Irish: PÃ¡irc an ChrÃ³caigh) in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports stadium in Ireland and the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Irelands biggest sporting organisation. ...

Although Ireland has never totally hosted the Rugby World Cup, select games from both the 1991 and 1999 World Cups were played throughout venues in Ireland. Pool B in 1991 was mainly played in Ireland and Scotland, with two games at Lansdowne Road (involving Ireland) and one (Zimbabwe v Japan) played at Ravenhill, Belfast. A quarter-final and a semi-final were also hosted by Dublin. A similar system was used in 1999, though in addition to Lansdowne and Ravenhill, Thomond Park was also a venue. Lansdowne Road was also the host of a quarter-final in 1999. Ireland were set to host matches at Lansdowne Road for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but due to scheduling conflicts with the reconstruction of the stadium, they decided not to host any.^[8]. For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... This article is about the mens Rugby World Cup held in 1991. ... The 1999 Rugby World Cup, the first to be held in rugby unions professional era,[2] was hosted by Wales, with some matches also played in England, France, Scotland and Ireland. ... Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick, Ireland. ... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ...

Record

Six Nations

The Six Nations Championship, held every year in February and March is Ireland's only annual tournament. It is contested against England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Ireland was a member of the inaugural Home Nations in 1883 - with France and Italy joining later to form the Five and Six Nations respectively. Ireland won their first championship in 1894, winning the Triple Crown also. Ireland's first (and to date - only) Grand Slam occurred in the 1948 season. In total Ireland have been champions on 10 occasions. The 1948 Five Nations Championship was held between Thursday, January 1 and Monday, March 29, 1948, with ten international matches held between England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. ...

Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4â€“1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win England 134â€“0 Romania (17 November 2001) Worst defeat Australia 76â€“0 England (6 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 2003 The England national rugby union team represents... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... First international (also the worlds first) Scotland 4 - 1 England (27 March 1871) Largest win Scotland 100 - 8 Japan (13 November 2004) Worst defeat Scotland 10 - 68 South Africa (6 December 1997) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result 4th 1991 The Scotland national rugby union team... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... First international England 30 â€“ 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 â€“ 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 â€“ 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 6/6 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as...

World Cup

Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987. The furthest Ireland have progressed at any World Cup has been to the quarter-finals, which they have made four times. After a loss to Wales, Ireland finished second in their pool in 1987 but were then knocked out by Australia in their quarter final in Sydney. In 1991 Ireland again lost only the one match in pool play (to Scotland). They again met the Australians in the quarter-finals, who defeated them by one point. Runner-up in their pool in 1995 to the All Blacks, Ireland were defeated by France in their quarter-final in Durban. For the rugby league competition, see Rugby League World Cup. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 6 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 The All Blacks are New Zealands national rugby...

Ireland finished second in their pool in 1999, behind Australia and went into the quarter-final play-offs (a system exclusive to the 1999 tournament). There they lost to Argentina, and thus, not being a quarter-finalists, they were not given automatic entry into 2003. They defeated Russia and Georgia to go through as Europe 1. They finished second to Australia in their pool, and were knocked out by France in the quarter finals.

They started in the so-called "Group of death" with hosts France, Argentina, Namibia and Georgia for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Their abysmal performance against Namibia (the lowest ranked team in the World cup) in their opening game on September 9th, resulted in a laboured 32-17 win. On the back of 3 poor performances in the World cup warm-ups, O'Sullivan played a virtually full strength team against the minnows of the tournament but they failed to take control of the match, allowing Namibia to score two second-half tries and only secured victory by a penalty try and a dubious refereeing decision, allowing Flannery's knocked on ball to stand as a try. Their progress was then put further into doubt when they only managed to beat Georgia 14-10, not obtaining a bonus point. France's victory over Namibia 87-10 put Ireland's progression from the group in doubt, and this was compounded when the French defeated Ireland 25-3. Entering their last group match against Argentina, needing four tries to secure a bonus point without allowing Argentina anything, Ireland were defeated clinically by 30 points to 15. This brought their disappointing 2007 World Cup to an end. Group of death is an informal sobriquet used in football to describe a situation that often occurs during the group stage of a tournament (such as the first round of the World Cup), where: all the teams present in one group are considered to be roughly equal in skill or... The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ...

Players

Current squad

Squad of 30 for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The 2007 Rugby World Cup is the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. ...

IR (Injury Replacement) A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Simon Best (born 11 February 1978) is an Irish rugby union footballer, Ireland. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... John Hayes (born November 2, 1973) is an Irish rugby union footballer. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Tony Buckley (born 8 October, 1980 [1]) from Newmarket, County Cork, is an Irish rugby union player who plays prop for Shannon and Munster. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Date of Birth: 7 September 1977 Place of Birth: Limerick, Ireland Height: 185 cm Weight: 105 kg Position: Loose-Head Prop Country: Ireland Province: Munster Marcus Horan born September 7th, 1977 is an Irish rugby union player who plays loose-head-prop for Munster and Ireland. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Bryan Young (born 6 November 1981) is an Irish rugby union footballer, Ireland. ... is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Rory Best (born 15 August 1982) is an Irish rugby union footballer, Ireland. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Jerry Flannery (born 17 October 1978) is an Irish rugby union player. ... is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Frankie Sheahan is a Hooker for Munster and Ireland. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Donncha OCallaghan (pronounced Dunaca)(born March 23, 1979) is an Irish rugby union footballer, who was educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork, although he began his rugby education on the training pitches of Highfield Rugby Club, on the Model Farm Road in Cork, with expert tutelage in the ways... is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Malcolm OKelly (born 19 July 1974 in Chelmsford, England) is an Irish rugby player who currently plays as a lock for Ireland internationally and Leinster at club level. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Neil Best (born 3 April 1979 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a rugby union footballer, He plays for Ulster and Ireland. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Simon Easterby (born on July 21, 1975, Harrogate, Yorkshire to an English father and an Irish Catholic mother) is a rugby union player for Llanelli Scarlets, whom he captains, and Ireland. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Stephen Ferris (born 2 September 1985) is a rugby player for (Ulster). ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Alan Quinlan (born 13 July 1974) is an Irish rugby player. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... David Wallace (born 8 July 1976 in Limerick) is a powerful rugby union back row forward, a key member of the Irish international team and Munster Rugby province. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Denis Leamy (born 27 November 1981 in Tipperary) and educated at Rockwell College. ... is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Isaac Boss (born 9 April 1980 in Tokoroa) is a New Zealand-born Irish rugby union footballer. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Eoin Reddan is an Irish rugby union player. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Peter Alexander Stringer (born 13 December 1977) is a rugby union player who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Ronan John Ross OGara (born 7 March 1977, San Diego, California, U.S.) is an Irish rugby union footballer, occupying the fly-half position (usually called out half in Ireland and first five-eighths in New Zealand) for both Munster and Ireland. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Paddy Wallace (born 27 August 1979) is an Irish rugby union footballer from Belfast where he attended Campbell College. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Gordon William DArcy (born February 10, 1980 in Wexford) is an Irish rugby player, more specifically an inside centre. ... is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Gavin Duffy (born 18 September 1981) is a rugby union footballer who plays on at full back or at centre for Harlequins. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Connacht Branch (the professional team of which which is run by Connacht Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Connacht. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Brian Gerald ODriscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Brian Carney (born 23 July 1976 in Cork, Ireland) is a rugby union player for Munster. ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Denis Anthony Hickie is a professional rugby union footballer employed by the Irish Rugby Football Union. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Shane Horgan (born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown near Drogheda), County Louth is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Andrew Trimble (born 20 October 1984) is an Irish rugby union footballer from Coleraine, County Derry in Northern Ireland. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (also known as Ulster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Ulster, six counties of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Girvan Dempsey (born 2 October 1975 in Dublin) is a rugby union footballer who plays at full back for Leinster and Ireland. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_rugby. ... Official website www. ... A normal Rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers. ... Geordan Edward Andrew Murphy (born 19 April 1978 in Naas, Co. ... is the 109th day of the year (110th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Official website www. ...

Notable Former Players

Eight former Irish players have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame The International Rugby Hall of Fame was created in 1997 and accepts new inductees every two years. ...

Other Notable players Cameron Michael Henderson (Mike) Gibson (born 3 December 1942 in Belfast) is a former Irish rugby union footballer. ... Willie John McBride, MBE is an Irish rugby player. ... Sir Anthony Tony OReilly (born 7 May 1936) is a Dublin born billionaire who holds both British and Irish nationality. ... John Wilson Kyle (born 10 February 1926 in Belfast) is a former Irish rugby union footballer. ... Dr. Syd Millar, CBE (born 23 May 1934 in Ballymena) is the chairman of the International Rugby Board. ... Keith Wood (born 27 January 1972 in Killaloe) is a former international rugby union footballer who played hooker for Ireland, the Lions, Harlequins and Munster. ... Tom Kiernan is a former Ireland international rugby union player. ... Fergus Slattery was born in Dublin on 12th February, 1949. ...

Willie Anderson, born 3 April 1955 in Sixmilecross, is a former Ireland international, who then became assistant coach of the Scotland national rugby union team under head coach Matt Williams. ... Ollie Campbell (born March 5, 1954) was an Irish rugby union player from 1976 to 1984. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Peter Martin Noel Clohessy (born 22 March 1966 in Limerick) is a former Irish rugby union footballer. ... A. R. Ronnie Dawson (born June 5, 1932 in Dublin, Ireland) played hooker for Ireland and was Captain of the British and Irish Lions rugby team on their 1959 tour to Australia and New Zeland. ... Mick Doyle (October 13, 1941 - May 11, 2004) was an Irish rugby player and coach. ... Michael Joseph Galwey was born in Currow, a small village near Castleisland in Co. ... Simon Patrick Geoghegan (born 1 September 1968 in Barnet, London) is a rugby union footballer who played at wing for London Irish. ... David Humphreys MBE (born 10 September 1971 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays fly-half. ... Famous picture of Mayne, taken in north Africa Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair Paddy Mayne DSO & 3 Bars (11 January 1915 - 14 December 1955) was a Northern Irish soldier. ... Donal Gerard Lenihan is a former Irish rugby player; with 52 international caps. ... Andrew (Andy) Armstrong Mulligan, was born on 4 February 1936 et Kasauli, a small cantonment town in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, and died on 24 February 2001. ... Phillip Orr is a former Ireland rugby international. ... Nick Popplewell (born 6 April 1964 in Dublin) is an Irish former rugby union player who won 48 caps for his country between 1989 and 1998. ... Trevor Ringland (born November 13, 1959 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a solicitor and former Rugby Union winger. ... Mark Sugden (1902 - 1990) was an Irish rugby player, and rugby author. ... Anthony Joseph Patrick Ward (born October 8, 1954, Dublin, Ireland), commonly referred to as Tony Ward, was an Irish rugby union player and footballer during the 1970s and 1980s. ...

Contents

History

Early years

Twentieth century

Post war

Sixties and seventies

Eighties and nineties

Professional era

Flags and anthems

Home grounds

Record

Six Nations

World Cup

Players

Current squad

Notable Former Players

See also

Sources

References

External links

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Early years

Twentieth century

Post war

Sixties and seventies

Eighties and nineties

Professional era

Flags and anthems

Home grounds

Record

Six Nations

World Cup

Players

Current squad

Notable Former Players

See also

Sources

References

External links

History