News

Highlights: December 2025

Women in Sport + Mental Health

At the Council of Europe Forum on Sport and Human Rights in Strasbourg, Rugby Players Ireland was represented by Irish Women’s Rugby XVs captain Edel McMahon.

The Forum highlighted the unique mental health challenges facing female athletes across Europe, with Edel sharing insights from her experiences in high-performance sport, which has included several stages of long-term rehabilitation. 

Edel also spoke about how Rugby Players Ireland delivers supports through the Player Development Programme, the Mental Wellbeing Service and the Tackle Your Feelings campaign – initiatives that are athlete-led, grounded in lived experience, and focused on long-term wellbeing.

Tackle Your Feelings

We were very proud of Jack O’Donoghue who spoke about the challenges he faced dealing with dyslexia as both a student, and as a young professional. Jack earned great admiration for his perspective, stating that he now sees dyslexia as a form of superpower, helping him to think about things in a different way to others. 

Heart on his Sleeve

Using her unique insights as RPI’s Player Development Manager with Leinster Rugby, Dr Emma Burrows wrote a review of Andrew Porter’s award-winning book ‘Heart on his Sleeve’ having walked alongside him for much of his career. The piece was published in Leader magazine, a publication of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).

From grief and isolation to post-competition lows and living with ADHD, Andrew’s story is about mentorship, courage, and the power of trusted adults to change a young person’s path

Read the review here.

Celtic Challenge Cup

The Clovers and Wolfhounds are set for another exciting Celtic Challenge series this season, with the Clovers blending rising talent from Connacht and Munster under captain Enya Breen, while defending champions Wolfhounds have included the returning Erin King among their ranks. 

Rugby World Cup 2027

Ireland have been drawn in Pool D alongside Scotland, Uruguay, and Portugal following the draw in Sydney. Ireland will face Scotland in the pool stages for the third consecutive Rugby World Cup. For the first time, the competition features 24 teams competing across six pools of four in an expanded format designed to break down barriers and make the game more accessible to fans around the world

Milestone

Our congratulations to John Ryan who brought up 250 caps for Munster Rugby in their festive clash with Leinster Rugby. 

In Business

Cormac Izuchukwu has signed a new deal with Ulster Rugby until the summer of 2028. The 25-year-old Offaly man made his Ulster debut in 2021 and has been capped three times for Ireland. Nathan Doak‘s extention to 2028 swiftly followed. 

Ciarán Frawley also signed off on the year by sealing a move to Connacht Rugby at the end of the season.

Annual Review

To read more what Rugby Players Ireland got up to throughout 2025, click here.