Ireland national rugby union team

The Ireland national rugby union team is the representative national team in the sport of rugby union for the island of Ireland. The team represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Ireland competes in the annual Six Nations Championship and in the Rugby World Cup. Ireland is one of the four unions that make up the British and Irish Lions – players eligible to play for Ireland are also eligible for the Lions.

Not to be confused with Ireland national rugby league team.
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Ireland women's national rugby union team.

Ireland
EmblemShamrock
UnionIrish Rugby Football Union
Head coachAndy Farrell
CaptainJonathan Sexton
Most capsBrian O'Driscoll (133)
Top scorerRonan O'Gara (1,083)
Top try scorerBrian O'Driscoll (46)
Home stadiumAviva Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current5 (as of 23 November 2020)
Highest1 (2019)
Lowest9 (2013)
First international
 England 7–0 Ireland 
(15 February 1875)
Biggest win
 United States 3–83 Ireland 
(10 June 2000)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 60–0 Ireland 
(23 June 2012)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1987)
Best resultQuarter-finals: 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019
Websitewww.irishrugby.ie

The Ireland national team dates to 1875, when it played its first international match against England. Ireland reached number 1 in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in 2019.[1]

Eleven former Ireland players have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

History

Early years: 1875–1900
Main article: History of the Ireland national rugby union team
See also: Rugby union in Ireland

Dublin University was the first organised rugby football club in Ireland, having been founded in 1854. The club was organised by students who had learnt the game while at public schools in Great Britain. During the third quarter of the nineteenth century, and following the adoption of a set of official rules in 1868, rugby football began to spread quickly throughout Ireland, resulting in the formation of several other clubs that are still in existence, including NIFC (1868); Wanderers (1869); Queen's University (1869); Lansdowne (1873); Dungannon (1873); Co. Carlow (1873); UCC (1874); and Ballinasloe (1875) which amalgamated with Athlone to form Buccaneers.[2]

First Ireland rugby team: defeated by England on 15 February 1875 at The Oval, by two goals and a try to nil

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 0–7 at the Oval on 15 February 1875. Both teams fielded 20 players in this match,[3] as was customary in the early years of rugby union; it was not until 1877 that the number of players was reduced from 20 to 15. Ireland's first home game was also against England in the same year held at Leinster Cricket Club's Observatory Lane ground in Rathmines as Lansdowne Road was deemed unsuitable. The first match at Lansdowne Road was held on 11 March 1878, with England beating Ireland by two goals and a try to nil.

It was not until 1881 that Ireland first won a test, beating 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 5 February 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.

In 1894, Ireland followed the Welsh model of using seven backs instead of six for the first time. 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 Thomas Crean.[4] 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 century was out (1896 and 1899), so that by 1901 all four of the Home Unions had tasted success at a game that was growing in popularity with players and spectators.

1920 illustration of the Ireland versus Wales rugby match

Early 20th century: 1901–45

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.

On 20 March 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. 30 November 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 an 8–6 defeat by England.

Post-war: 1945–70

In 1948, Ireland clinched their first Grand Slam in the Five Nations. Ireland were champions and Triple Crown winners again in 1949. In 1951, Ireland were once more crowned Five Nations champions. 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, their Test record being won one, drawn one.

On 27 February 1954, Ireland played Scotland at Ravenhill in Belfast. The 11 Republic-based players protested "God Save the Queen", and an abbreviated anthem known as "the Salute" was instead played. Ireland beat Scotland 6–0, and did not play in Northern Ireland again until 2007.[5]

In 1958, Ireland beat Australia 9–6 in Dublin, the first time a major touring team had been defeated.{{citation needed|date=September 2015

In the 1958-9 season Ireland came second in the Five Nations beating both Scotland (at Murrayfield!) and, in the final match of competition, France who had already won the series.

Ireland managed just three victories in the Five Nations Championship during the early 1960s: against England in 1961, Wales in 1963 and England again in 1964. 1965 saw an improvement as Ireland beat England and Scotland.

On 10 April 1965 at Lansdowne Road Ireland recorded their first ever win over South Africa.[6] Ireland beat Australia again in Dublin in 1967. Ireland became the first of the home nations to win in the Southern Hemisphere when they beat Australia in Sydney in May 1967. On 26 October 1968, Ireland made it four successive wins over the Wallabies. In 1969, Ireland claimed a 17–9 victory over France in the Five Nations, a first victory over Les Bleus in 11 years. In the autumn of 1969, the Irish Rugby Football Union appointed a coach for the national team for the first time, the role went to Ronnie Dawson.

Later 20th century: 1970–94
The Ireland team that played Argentina at Ferro sports club in 1970

The 1972 Five Nations Championship was not completed when Scotland and Wales refused to play in Ireland following threatening letters to players, purportedly from the IRA.[7] The championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. In 1973, despite similar threats, England fulfilled their fixture and were given a five-minute standing ovation.[8] Ireland won 18–9. Ireland came close to a first win over the All Blacks on 20 January 1973, but drew 10–10. In 1974, Ireland won their first Five Nations Championship since 1951.

Willie John McBride was coach until 1984. In 1982, Ireland, led by out-half Ollie Campbell, won the Five Nations and their first Triple Crown in 33 years. Three years later in 1985, Ireland won the Five Nations and the Triple Crown again. It was Ireland's last silverware until 2004. Ireland scored 10 tries against Romania in a 60–0 win on 1 November 1986, the biggest win by a Tier One country in international rugby at the time, equalling the French record set in 1967. At the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup, victories over Tonga and Canada saw Ireland through to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten 33–15 by joint hosts Australia.

Ireland failed to win the Five Nations in the whole of the 1990s, never finishing outside the bottom two. In 1991, they lost their test series against Namibia. At the second Rugby World Cup in 1991, after wins over Japan and Zimbabwe, Ireland lost 15–24 at Murrayfield. Ireland played the Wallabies at Lansdowne Road in the quarter-finals and 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 England at Twickenham.

Professional era and new stadium: 1995–2010
Ireland playing at Croke Park

At the 1995 World Cup, Ireland came through their group to make their third consecutive quarter-final appearance. Unfortunately, France proved too strong, with Ireland going down 12–36 in the quarter-finals.

The start of the professional era was disappointing for Ireland, who finished bottom of the Five Nations Championship three years in succession (1996, 1997 and 1998) and lost to Italy three times, at home (29–37) and abroad (12–22 and 22–37). Warren Gatland took over as coach in 1998, but was unable to produce immediate success. The 1999 World Cup was staged primarily in Wales, though Ireland played all their pool games in Dublin. In a play-off, Ireland were beaten 28–24 by Argentina, marking the first time that Ireland failed to reach the quarter-finals.

From this nadir, however, Irish rugby improved. The Irish Rugby Football Union converted the four representative provincial sides into de facto club sides, and the formation in 2001 of the Celtic League (now called the Pro14) provided Irish provincial sides with regular competitive rugby.

The advent of the new Six Nations format coincided with this Irish resurgence. In 2001, Ireland finished second. Eddie O'Sullivan took over as coach in November 2001 after Warren Gatland was sacked. The 2003 Six Nations Championship saw Ireland lose to England in the Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road, ending a home unbeaten run that stretched to 10 tests since September 2002.

Paul O'Connell winning the line-out against Argentina in 2007

In the 2004 Six Nations, Ireland finished second overall and won the Triple Crown. In the 2005 Six Nations, Ireland finished in third place.

In the 2006 Six Nations, Ireland won the Triple Crown for the second time in three years. In the last autumn international at Lansdowne Road, Ireland beat Australia 21–6.

With the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required. Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, hosted some games from 2007 to 2010. Ireland's 2008 Six Nations campaign included three losses. Eddie O'Sullivan resigned as Ireland coach and Declan Kidney was appointed.[9]

Brian O'Driscoll lifts the 2009 Six Nations Grand slam trophy.

Ireland won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam, their first Six Nations win since 1985 and their first Grand Slam since 1948.[10][11] After a draw against Australia and victories against Fiji and South Africa, Ireland ended 2009 unbeaten.[12]

The Aviva Stadium

In Ireland's final game of the 2010 Six Nations, and the last-ever game at Croke Park, Ireland lost to Scotland 20–23 and failed to win the Triple Crown.[13] Ireland began their 2010 Autumn Tests with a 21–23 loss to South Africa, the first international at the new Aviva Stadium.

2011 to present

In the 2011 Six Nations Championship, Ireland lost 22–25 to France in the first Six Nations match to be played at the Aviva Stadium. During a 13–19 loss against Wales, Ireland's Ronan O'Gara became the first Irishman, and only the fifth player, to score 1,000 points. In Ireland's 24–8 win against England, Brian O'Driscoll scored his 25th try to set a new Six Nations record for tries scored.[14]

In their 2012 Six Nations Championship campaign Ireland finished third overall.[15] Ireland's 2012 summer tour of New Zealand included a 22–19 loss, followed by a 60–0 thrashing, Ireland's heaviest ever defeat.[16]

Ireland celebrate their 2014 Six Nations Championship.

The 2013 Six Nations Championship saw Ireland finish with one win, three losses, and one draw, including their first home loss to England in 10 years;[17] and their first ever loss to Italy in the Six Nations.[18] The IRFU declined to extend Declan Kidney's contract, and Joe Schmidt was announced as the new Ireland coach.[19] In their 2013 end-of-year rugby union tests, Ireland lost 22–24 to New Zealand, having led throughout the match.[20]

Ireland opened their 2014 Six Nations Championship with wins over Scotland and Wales.[21] Ireland lost 10–13 to England.[22] Ireland won their next match against Italy 46–7.[23] Ireland beat France 22–20 in the final round to claim the Six Nations title.[24] In November they defeated South Africa 29–15 and Australia 26–23 at Dublin.

Ireland retained the 2015 Six Nations Championship, and became Six Nations Champions for the second year running on points difference. Following wins against Wales and Scotland during warm-up matches for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Ireland briefly reached its highest-ever position of second in the World Rugby rankings. Ireland won its pool at the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a 24–9 victory over France, but lost in the quarter-finals to Argentina 20–43.

Entering the 2016 Six Nations competition with a squad depleted by injury, Ireland won only two matches in the tournament (58–15 against Italy in Round 4, and 35–25 against Scotland in Round 5), and only achieved a 16–16 draw against Wales. The team went on to win the first of their three-match tour of South Africa 26–20, before losing the second and third tests 26–32 and 13–19. In autumn of the same year, Ireland defeated the New Zealand All Blacks for the first time ever on 5 November 2016 in Chicago by 40–29.[25] This was New Zealand's only loss all year, and ended their record-breaking win streak of 18 test matches. Despite New Zealand winning the return fixture in Dublin the following week 21–9, Ireland moved up to fourth in the world rankings.

Ireland placed second in the 2017 Six Nations Championship, behind defending champions England, who the Irish defeated in the final of round of the competition by 13–9, ending England's record-equalling run of 18 victories since 2015. However, they lost to Scotland 22–27 in Round 1 and Wales 9–22 in Round 4 during the same tournament. With many first-choice players selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions, Ireland took a development squad into their summer games that year, which included a 55–19 win over the USA, and a 2–0 test series victory against Japan. In November 2017, Ireland moved to third in the world rankings following their biggest-ever win over South Africa, 38–3, and victories over Fiji and Argentina.

After winning the 2018 Six Nations Championship with a Grand Slam, Ireland returned to second in the world rankings.[26][27] A 2–1 series win over Australia in summer that year was followed by a second victory in two years against the world number one All Blacks, by 16–9 which cemented Ireland's number two ranking.[28] Following their success in the Six Nations, the Australia tour and the autumn internationals, Ireland were named 2018 World Rugby Team of the Year with Joe Schmidt claiming World Rugby Coach of the Year.[29]

The 2019 Six Nations started with a defeat to England, by 20–32. After this, they beat Scotland, Italy and France, but the competition concluded with a loss against Grand Slam winners Wales which ended 7–25. The Welsh led the Irish by 25–0 going into overtime, until a last-gasp try from replacement half-back Jordan Larmour.[30]

Playing strip

Ireland's traditional strip consists of a green jersey, white shorts, and green socks. Their emblem consists of a shamrock and a rugby ball; a shamrock has been incorporated into the emblem since the side first played in 1874.

Between 1996 and the summer of 2002, Ireland's main shirt sponsor was Irish Permanent who became Permanent TSB after a merger, who continued to sponsor the shirt until the autumn of 2006. O2 were Ireland's main shirt sponsor from then until 2014. Three Ireland were the team sponsors up until the summer of 2016 where Vodafone then became the main sponsor.

Before 1992, Umbro supplied kit to Ireland. Nike were the suppliers between 1992 and the summer of 2000. Canterbury of New Zealand took over after the summer of 2000 and was the supplier until June 2009. In November 2009, Puma took on the supply of Ireland's playing and training kit. In January 2014, the IRFU signed a deal with Canterbury for the supply of Ireland's playing and training kit from November 2014 until 2020, [31] which was then extended to 2024.[32]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
?–1991 Umbro No shirt sponsor
1992–1996 Nike
1996–2000 Permanent TSB*
2000–2006 Canterbury
2006–2009 O2
2009–2014 Puma
2014–2016 Canterbury 3
2016–Present Vodafone

* Between 1996 and summer 2000, it was known as Irish Permanent before reverting to Permanent TSB before the sponsorship ended in summer 2006.

Flags and anthems
Flag of the IRFU

The Irish rugby union team is one of many teams that draws its players from across the island of Ireland. In the past this has led to issues surrounding certain flag and anthem usage. When Ireland international matches were played alternately in Belfast and Dublin, the British national anthem "God Save the Queen" was played before matches in Belfast and the national anthem of Ireland "Amhrán na bhFiann" was played for matches in Dublin. "God Save the Queen" is no longer played. No anthem was played at away games. In the 1987 Rugby World Cup, "The Rose of Tralee" was used as the anthem.

Since April 1995, a specially-composed anthem named "Ireland's Call" has been used exclusively by the Ireland team at away games.[33] This has prompted some players and supporter complaints that "Amhrán na bhFiann" should also be played.[34] At games played in Dublin, "Ireland's Call" is always used alongside "Amhrán na bhFiann".[35] With Ireland's test match against Italy in the run up to the 2007 Rugby World scheduled to be held in Belfast (the first match played there since 1953), there were calls for "God Save the Queen" to be used alongside "Ireland's Call" but this was turned down by the IRFU[36] with the explanation given that both "Ireland's Call" and "Amhrán na bhFiann" are only played together in Dublin, and that outside the Irish republic the anthem of "Ireland's Call" is exclusively used.[37]

At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, 2015 Rugby World Cup and 2019 Rugby World Cup the Ireland team entered the field of play at the beginning of their matches with the Irish tricolour and the Flag of Ulster,[38] to which the six Irish counties in Northern Ireland belong.

Home grounds

The traditional home of Irish rugby is Lansdowne Road in Dublin, where most of Ireland's home matches were held. The stadium was rebuilt between 2007 and 2010. Naming rights were sold to an insurance company, and the venue is now referred to as the Aviva Stadium.

The original stadium, owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union, was built in 1872, and so the venue continues to hold the distinction as the oldest still in use for international rugby. 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 redeveloped stadium seats 51,700 and was opened in May 2010. The final Irish Test prior to work commencing on the remodelled stadium was against the Pacific Islanders in late 2006.

With Lansdowne Road unavailable for use, Ireland was without a suitable 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 had been played at the venue. Croke Park remained in use for Ireland's Six Nations matches and other major Tests until the completion of the redevelopment at Lansdowne Road.

Aviva Stadium, on Lansdowne Road

The first Ireland match at the rebuilt stadium was against reigning World Cup champions South Africa on 6 November 2010. South Africa won the match 23–22. Because of the historic significance of this match, South Africa announced that they would wear their change strip to allow Ireland to wear their home green; normally, the home team change their colours in the event of a clash.[39]

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 World Cup, but due to scheduling conflicts with the reconstruction of the stadium, they decided they were not in a position to host any.[40]

Records

Overall
See also: Ireland national rugby union team tours
Men's World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 13 January 2021[41]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1  South Africa094.20
2  England089.49
3  New Zealand088.95
4  France085.30
5  Ireland084.65
6  Australia083.08
7  Scotland080.82
8  Argentina080.31
9  Wales079.36
10  Japan079.29
11  Fiji076.87
12  Georgia072.18
13  Tonga071.44
14  Italy070.88
15  Samoa070.72
16  United States068.10
17  Spain067.51
18  Uruguay067.02
19  Romania065.33
20  Portugal062.12
21  Russia061.96
22  Hong Kong061.23
23  Canada061.11
24  Namibia061.04
25  Netherlands060.09
26  Brazil058.19
27  Belgium057.17
28   Switzerland054.12
29  Chile053.81
30  Germany053.13
*Change from the previous week
Ireland's historical rankings

See or edit raw graph data.

Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 16 November 2020[41]

Below is a table of test matches played by Ireland up to 7 February 2020.[42]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina18126066.67%407362+45
 Australia361322136.11%535736–201
 Canada870187.50%328105+223
 England1374980835.77%11701681–511
 Fiji4400100.00%17251+121
 France993557735.35%12041598–394
 Georgia5500100%21941+178
 Italy32284087.5%1124485+639
 Japan871087.5%348137+211
 Namibia422050.00%11765+52
 New Zealand3222916.25%389917–528
 New Zealand Natives10100.00%1G4G–3G
Pacific Islanders1100100.00%6117+44
 Presidents XV10010.00%18180
 Romania9900100.00%390102+288
 Russia3300100.00%13215+117
 Samoa761085.71%256108+148
 Scotland1386667547.83%16241459+165
 South Africa26718126.92%380506–126
 Tonga2200100.00%7228+44
 United States101000100.00%418115+303
 Wales1325570741.67%15471622–75
 Zimbabwe1100100.00%5511+44
Total7143243583245.38%1096610179+787

Home Nations - Five Nations - Six Nations championships
Ireland's Grand slam trophy haul in 2009
 
England
France
Ireland
Italy
Scotland
Wales
Tournaments1249112621126126
Outright wins (shared wins)
Home Nations5 (4)N/A4 (4)N/A10 (3)7 (4)
Five Nations17 (6)12 (8)6 (5)N/A5 (6)15 (8)
Six Nations754005
Overall29 (10)17 (8)14 (9)0 (0)15 (9)27 (12)
Grand Slams
Home Nations0N/A0N/A02
Five Nations1161N/A36
Six Nations232004
Overall13930312
Triple Crowns
Home Nations5N/A2N/A76
Five Nations16N/A4N/A311
Six Nations5N/A5N/A04
Overall26N/A11N/A1021
Wooden Spoons
Home Nations11N/A15N/A88
Five Nations141721N/A2112
Six Nations0101541
Overall251836153321

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, also winning the Triple Crown. Ireland's first Grand Slam occurred in the 1948 season and their second in the 2009 season. In total Ireland have been outright champions on fourteen occasions following their title in the 2018 Six Nations Championship and have nine shared wins. Ireland won their third ever Grand Slam in the 2018 Six Nations Championship with a 24–15 win over England at Twickenham on March 17 (St Patrick's Day).

Rugby World Cup
Main article: Ireland at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Pos Pld W D L PF PA
1987 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 99 74 Squad Invited
1991 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 120 70 Squad Automatically qualified
1995 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 105 130 Squad Automatically qualified
1999 Quarter-finals play-off 4 2 0 2 124 73 Squad 1st 2 2 0 0 123 35
2003 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 162 99 Squad 1st 2 2 0 0 98 17
2007 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 64 82 Squad Automatically qualified
2011 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 145 56 Squad Automatically qualified
2015 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 154 78 Squad Automatically qualified
2019 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 135 73 Squad Automatically qualified
2023 Automatically qualified
Total Quarter-finals 40 24 0 16 1108 735 4 4 0 0 221 52
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup tournament. The furthest they have progressed is the quarter-finals, which they have made seven times out of nine. They have finished top of their pool twice, in 2011, after beating pool favourite Australia, and in 2015 leaving France in 2nd place.

In the first tournament, held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987, Ireland finished second in their pool after a loss to Wales, before Ireland were knocked out by Australia in the quarter-final in Sydney.

In 1991 Ireland again lost one match in pool play, this time to Scotland. Ireland again met Australia in the quarter-finals, losing by one point.

In 1995 Ireland were runner-up in their pool to the All Blacks. Ireland were defeated by France in their quarter-final in Durban.

In 1999 Ireland finished second in their pool 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, Ireland were not given automatic entry into the 2003 tournament.

Ireland and Australia contesting a line-out in the 2011 Rugby World Cup

In qualifying matches, Ireland defeated Russia and Georgia to advance to the 2003 tournament. Ireland finished second to Australia in their pool, and were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.

In the 2007 World Cup Ireland played in the so-called "Group of death" with hosts France, Argentina, Namibia and Georgia. Ireland defeated Namibia in their opening game 32–17.[43] Their progress was then put into doubt when they beat Georgia 14–10, not obtaining a bonus point.[44] Ireland lost to France 3–25.[45] Entering their last group match against Argentina, needing four tries to secure a bonus point without allowing Argentina anything, Ireland were defeated 15–30 and crashed out at the pool stage for the first time.[46]

Ireland were in Pool C for the 2011 Rugby World Cup with Australia, Russia, USA and Italy. Their first pool game, against the United States, ended in a 22–10 victory for Ireland.[47] Ireland's second pool game was against Australia. Despite being underdogs, Ireland recorded their first victory over Australia at a World Cup with a 15–6 win.[48] Ireland comfortably beat Russia 62–12 in their third pool game.[49] Ireland secured first place in the pool with a 36–6 win over Italy, the first time that Ireland were group winners in their World Cup history.[50] Ireland lost their quarter-final to Wales 10–22.[51]

Ireland topped Pool D of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with four victories, two with bonus points. They kicked off their campaign with a 50–7 win over Canada.[52] Another bonus point victory followed in front of a world record Rugby World Cup crowd[53] of 89,267 at the home of England football, Wembley Stadium, when Ireland saw off Romania 44–10.[54] Ireland then faced Italy, coming out on top 16–9,[55] the only try coming from Keith Earls who surpassed Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's leading Rugby World Cup try scorer with eight. The final pool game saw Ireland face France. The winner would set up a quarter-final against Argentina and avoid New Zealand Ireland overcame the loss to injury of key players Jonathan Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Paul O'Connell to run out 24–9[56] winners.[57] The victory set up another game for Ireland in the Millennium Stadium against Pool C runners up Argentina on 18 October 2015. Ireland battled and came back from a 17-point deficit to come within three points of their opponents, but a series of mistakes spelt the end for Ireland's RWC of 2015.

Ireland qualified automatically for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. They played in pool A along with the hosts, Japan, Scotland, Russia and Samoa. They finished pool play with three wins and one loss to finish second in the pool behind Japan. They played New Zealand in the quarter-finals where they lost 14–46.

Players

Current squad

On 25 January 2021, Ireland named a 36-man squad for the 2021 Six Nations.[58]


Caps updated: 07 February 2021

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Dave Heffernan Hooker (1991-01-31) 31 January 1991 5 Connacht
Rob Herring Hooker (1990-04-27) 27 April 1990 17 Ulster
Rónan Kelleher Hooker (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 7 Leinster
Tadhg Furlong Prop (1992-11-14) 14 November 1992 45 Leinster
Cian Healy Prop (1987-10-07) 7 October 1987 105 Leinster
David Kilcoyne Prop (1988-12-14) 14 December 1988 40 Munster
Tom O'Toole Prop (1998-09-23) 23 September 1998 0 Ulster
Andrew Porter Prop (1996-01-16) 16 January 1996 33 Leinster
Tadhg Beirne Lock (1992-01-08) 8 January 1992 18 Munster
Ultan Dillane Lock (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 17 Connacht
Iain Henderson Lock (1992-02-21) 21 February 1992 59 Ulster
Quinn Roux Lock (1990-10-30) 30 October 1990 16 Connacht
James Ryan Lock (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 33 Leinster
Will Connors Back row (1996-04-04) 4 April 1996 6 Leinster
Caelan Doris Back row (1998-04-02) 2 April 1998 7 Leinster
Peter O'Mahony Back row (1989-09-17) 17 September 1989 74 Munster
Rhys Ruddock Back row (1990-11-13) 13 November 1990 26 Leinster
CJ Stander Back row (1990-04-05) 5 April 1990 47 Munster
Josh van der Flier Back row (1993-04-25) 25 April 1993 29 Leinster
Craig Casey Scrum-half (1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 0 Munster
Jamison Gibson-Park Scrum-half (1992-02-23) 23 February 1992 6 Leinster
Conor Murray Scrum-half (1989-04-20) 20 April 1989 88 Munster
Billy Burns Outside-half (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 4 Ulster
Ross Byrne Outside-half (1995-04-08) 8 April 1995 11 Leinster
Jonathan Sexton (c) Outside-half (1985-07-11) 11 July 1985 96 Leinster
Bundee Aki Centre (1990-04-07) 7 April 1990 30 Connacht
Chris Farrell Centre (1993-03-16) 16 March 1993 14 Munster
Robbie Henshaw Centre (1993-06-12) 12 June 1993 48 Leinster
Stuart McCloskey Centre (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 4 Ulster
Garry Ringrose Centre (1995-01-26) 26 January 1995 31 Leinster
Andrew Conway Wing (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 24 Munster
Keith Earls Wing (1987-10-02) 2 October 1987 89 Munster
Jordan Larmour Wing (1997-06-10) 10 June 1997 25 Leinster
Hugo Keenan Wing (1996-06-18) 18 June 1996 7 Leinster
James Lowe Wing (1992-07-08) 8 July 1992 3 Leinster
Shane Daly Fullback (1996-12-19) 19 December 1996 1 Munster


Historical players

Hall of Fame

Twelve former Ireland players have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. The Hall was created in 2006 as the IRB Hall of Fame when the sport's governing body of World Rugby was known as the International Rugby Board. The separate International Rugby Hall of Fame, which had inducted five Ireland players, was merged into the IRB Hall in 2014, shortly before the IRB adopted its current name of World Rugby. All International Hall members who had not been separately inducted to the IRB Hall automatically became members of the renamed World Rugby Hall.

Jack Kyle was inducted in 2008,[59] followed by Willie John McBride, Syd Millar and Tony O'Reilly in 2009;[60] Mike Gibson in 2011;[61] Ronnie Dawson in 2013;[62] Keith Wood in 2014;[63] Tom Kiernan,[64] Fergus Slattery[65] Basil Maclear in 2015;[66] Brian O'Driscoll in 2016;[67] and Ronan O'Gara in 2018.[68]

Individual records
Main article: List of Ireland national rugby union team records
See also: List of Ireland national rugby union players

Six players have represented Ireland in 100 tests or more: Brian O'Driscoll with 133 caps, Ronan O'Gara with 128, Rory Best with 120, Paul O'Connell with 108, John Hayes with 105 and Cian Healy with 100.[69] Including Lions caps, O'Driscoll has 141 caps (fourth highest in rugby), O'Gara has 130, Best has 124, O'Connell has 115 and Hayes 107.

O'Gara also holds the Ireland record for test points with 1,083,[70] placing him fourth all-time in international rugby. He also holds the record for highest points scorer in the Six Nations with 557.[71] O'Driscoll has scored 46 tries for Ireland – an Irish record.[72]

British and Irish Lions

The following Ireland players have represented the British and Irish Lions.[73]

Coaches

The IRFU first appointed a coach in 1968. The current head coach is Andy Farrell who has been in the position since 2019.

Head coaches (professional era)
Correct as of 7 February 2021[77]
Coach Season(s) GP W D L Win % Loss % Championships / notes
Murray Kidd[78] 1995–1997 9 3 0 6 33.3% 66.7%
Brian Ashton[79] 1997–1998 8 2 0 6 25% 75%
Warren Gatland[80] 1998–2001 38 18 1 19 47.37% 50%
Eddie O'Sullivan[81] 2001–2008 77 50 0 27 64.94% 35.06% Triple Crown (2004, 2006, 2007)
Michael Bradley 2008 2 0 0 2 % 100% Interim Coach
Declan Kidney 2008–2013 54 28 3 23 51.85% 42.59% 2009 Six Nations Championship (+ Triple Crown & Grand Slam); World Rugby Coach of the Year (2009)
Les Kiss 2013 2 2 0 0 100% % Interim Coach
Joe Schmidt 2013–2019 77 56 1 20 72.73% 25.97% Six Nations Championship (2014, 2015, 2018) (+ Triple Crown & Grand Slam 2018); World Rugby Team of the Year (2018); World Rugby Coach of the Year (2018); 1st in world rankings (Sep 2019)
Andy Farrell 2019– 10 6 0 4 60% 40%
Total 1995–present 277 165 5 107 59.57% 38.63%

    Media coverage

    Ireland's end-of-year tests were broadcast by the BBC until 2013 when Sky Sports secured the rights.[82] From November 2018, Channel 4 has the TV rights in the UK and RTÉ has the rights in Ireland. TV3 Ireland and BBC/ITV retain the Six Nations rights, while ITV and TV3 with Eir Sports have the rights to the Rugby World Cup.

    See also

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