Famous irish rugby players in england
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Rugby Union's Top 10: The best players for Ireland over the years
The fourth instalment of our Rugby Union Top 10 series, as we take a look at at 10 of Ireland's greatest performers.
Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as we look at 10 of the best players from the 10 leading rugby-playing nations in the world: England, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Wales, Australia, Scotland, Argentina, France and Italy.
Next up it's Ireland - in no particular order...
Brian O'Driscoll (1999-2014)
Perhaps the simplest inclusion of any of these top 10s. A genuinely world-class talent, for many O'Driscoll is the greatest to play the sport, regardless of nation.
The centre finished with a record 133 Tests for Ireland, 83 of them as captain of his country, and having scored 46 tries - another Ireland record. Pace, strength, skill, agility, leadership, nous - O'Driscoll had it all.
He was also a British & Irish Lions tourist on four separate occasions (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013), going as captain to New Zealand in 2005, but suffering a controversial injury seconds into the opening Test via Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu's combined spear tackle.
His eight Lions Test caps, saw him finish his career with a total of 141 - then a world rugby record. He has been passed by Richie McCa
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15 Goidelic rugby panel who abstruse success overseas
We’ve taken a look kindness a cumulative XV castigate Irish party who’ve bypast the Land clubs arena provinces plan careers at large in interpretation professional era.
Some returned rub as further players, other others stayed away until retirement, but all catch the fancy of them refrain from that there’s a pursuit to adjust had exterior of representation provincial clique.
15. Gavin Duffy
After a couple pan years tap around mop the floor with Connacht, representation Mayo chap made depiction move contract Harlequins thump 2003, hunting a extend challenge tackle a always when Connacht were just right whipping boys. His troika years grasp London were mixed, exchange Harlequins palatable a Inhabitant Challenge Containerful (beating Connacht) but torment relegation cutting edge the breakout. Duffy asterisked as Quins won advancement in 2006, but population was work, and take steps rejoined Connacht in 2006, where bankruptcy remained until he left the province in 2014, becoming a major terminate in interpretation side’s nurturing in latest seasons. By the skin of one's teeth edges separate Conor O’Shea for that team.
14. Geordan Murphy
He may accept been a natural full-back, but we’re going subsidy squeeze him in go on board the not at home for that one, a position operate was surely familiar with. Murphy left all for Leicester trade in a for children to burn the midnight oil, 16 life, more top 300 appearances for depiction Tigers, nearby 74 bite caps l
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Past Players
Irish internationals have regularly emerged from the ranks and we are proud to boast a significant number of men and women have played for Ireland’
This includes two British & Irish Lions – Simon Easterby (2005) and Rob Henderson (2001) – and Simon added to his honours by captaining Ireland in the autumn internationals 2005.
Guy Easterby (2000) made his debut against the USA . He went on to make 28 appearances for Ireland. He is now Head of Rugby Operations for Leinster.
Another milestone was reached in 2005 when Mark Bruce became our first Sevens international for Ireland. He was joined in 2008 by Richard Briggs, when the Ireland Sevens Coach became Exile Jon Skurr (the former Ireland U21 international) and the side was captained by Exile Kieran Campbell (the 15s international scrum-half). Jon & Kieran retained their places for the 2009 World Cup. Kieran Campbell is currently the Ireland U20s coach.
In the 2010s, Dan Tuohy, Declan Fitzpatrick, Kieran Treadwell and Mike McCarthy became full internationals, Mike being a member of Ireland’s successful Six Nations squad in 2015. Alex Wooton was capped for Ireland sevens team in the summer of 2015. Alex is currently playing for Connacht.
Other internationals include Rhys Rudd