News

Highlights: February 2026

Six Nations Recap

The highlight of the month from a playing perspective was undoubtedly a memorable weekend in England for Irish Rugby. The Irish Rugby Legends and the U20s set the tone before the senior men’s side powered their way to a record-breaking 21-42 victory at Twickenham. Winning in London is never straightforward, and to see success delivered across generations was a powerful reflection on the Irish game. 

So far, the Six Nations campaign has brought both highs and setbacks for both senior and U20s squads. Defeats to France were hugely disappointing, but both responses against Italy — hard-earned and uncompromising — underlined the character within each squad. Given how the first weekend panned out, it is remarkable that there is still everything to play for in the weeks ahead.

Leadership in Action

As the Six Nations loomed, Caelan Doris stepped forward to share how he has had to confront deep-seated emotions that he has suppressed since childhood. The Irish captain and was the feature of a lengthy Irish Times piece by Denis Walsh for his involvement with the Tackle Your Feelings campaign. 

You can read the article here. 

Caelan’s role in our Tackle Your Feelings campaign was also discussed at an Oireachtas Joint Committee meeting about the safety and wellbeing of children online. His participation, along with Andrew Porter‘s openness, was cited as an example of positive role modelling online.  

The Ireland Sports Fund

Our congratulations to The Ireland Sports Fund, which was launched last year and is already making a meaningful impact across professional rugby in Ireland.

Led by former Irish Rugby 7s captain Billy Dardis, the Fund awarded 11 scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year, committing more than €40,000 — with 100% of funds going directly to players.

The response spoke volumes: 60 applications received, representing 21% of Ireland’s contracted professional players across the men’s and women’s game.

With the support of donors and the Rugby Players Ireland Foundation, the Fund is helping athletes balance the demands of elite sport with study, career planning, and life beyond the game.

Building

The Women’s WXV squad came together for a positive well-being reset ahead of Six Nations camp, stepping away from the demands of elite sport to reconnect through creativity and recovery. A pottery workshop at Segotia sparked laughter and teamwork, while a restorative sauna session at Fad Saoil supported recovery and relaxation, strengthening relationships, support networks, and resilience that benefit the team both on and off the field.

Beyond the Game

Leader Kicking

With the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl success on the mind, we caught up with Darragh Leader to reflect on a massive year for Leader Kicking which has seen dozens of athletes earn U.S. college placements, while the likes of Charlie Smyth have gone on to see action in the NFL — kicking match-winning field goals on the biggest stage. 

Read more here. 

The Irish Rugby Legends

As mentioned above, the Irish Rugby Legends took on their English counterparts in Twickenham Stoop in aid of the Lewis Moody Family Trust. Captained once again by Shane Byrne, the team was bolstered by the inclusion of several recent 7s retirees including Jordan Conroy, Billy Dardis, Foster Horan and Harry McNulty, who was named Player of the Match. 

Check out our squad list and find out what they’re all at now.

Our thanks also to Iconic Health Clubs for supporting our players with their preparations. 

Test Caps to Start-Ups

With the relaunch of our Affinity Scheme, we spoke to former Irish player Ellen Murphy about the opening of Abhainn Sauna in the Killarney countryside. Murphy is a Specialist Medical Scientist with the HSE and is also in the midst of an Executive MBA through DCU. 

Read more here.

Reformation 

This month we teamed up with Sport Ireland and Reformation Pilates & Yoga Studio to deliver a bespoke teacher training course, specifically tailored to suit the demands and schedules of our members

Milestone Month

Our congratulations to Edwin Edogbo on his Irish debut off the bench against Italy in the Six Nations. 

Ulster pair Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Balacoune made their respective Six Nations debuts in the same game. 

Online Abuse

Unfortunately, due to a rise in online abuse and threatening behaviour, we have had to remind players that the IRFU, Rugby Players Ireland, and the four provinces have engaged Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service to help protect those involved in Irish rugby.

This service proactively monitors open-source social media channels for abuse and threats directed at national and provincial players, coaches, support staff, and match officials. Where high-risk threats are identified, the relevant bodies are alerted, perpetrators may be investigated, and serious content is reported directly to the platforms involved.

The Threat Matrix team can also assess concerning messages received via direct messages, email, or WhatsApp.

New Deals

Connacht Rugby scrum-halves Caolin Blade and Ben Murphy will continue to vie for the 9 jersey in Galway. Jordan Duggan and Hugh Gavin have also signed extensions with the province. 

The highly-rated Matthew Devine is trading the west for Belfast. The scrum-half will join the province on a one-year deal. 

Irish Abroad

We’ve also been thinking of Joey Carbery who suffered a significant knee injury while in training for Bordeax Bègles and will be out for a number of months. 

Eoghan Clarke has re-signed with Saracens having joined the club from Munster in January 2025. The hooker has made nine appearances. 

Jack Oliver has graduated from Glasgow Warriors’ academy to sign his first professional contract

Incoming

We look forward to welcoming Marnus van der Merwe in the summer. The Springbok hooker will link up with Munster Rugby on a two-year deal.