News

Highlights: January 2026

Caelan Champions TYF

This month, we were delighted to formally welcome Caelan Doris to our team of Tackle Your Feelings ambassadors. Caelan’s message centres on how the pressure, doubt and setbacks he has experienced throughout his career have ultimately helped shape his growth and resilience. On and off the pitch.

You can watch Caelan’s message here. 

Almost half of schools in Ireland have now registered for the revamped Tackle Your Feelings Schools programme, with a renewed surge of interest following Caelan’s involvement. This underlines the powerful impact our members can have as role models and advocates for the things they care deeply about. 

TYF is also proud to have newly appointed Irish Women’s team captain Erin King as an ambassador, helping to extend the programme’s reach and impact across our membership and beyond.

Erin spoke to us about about why she decided to get involved with the initiative. 

Revive DNA

This month we were proud to announce a new partnership between Revive DNA and Rugby Players Ireland. The partnership will raise awareness of potential brain health challenges, boost engagement with our Brain Health Service, and contribute to research on healthy brain ageing.

By combining Rugby Players Ireland’s player welfare expertise with Revive DNA’s knowledge of genetics, nutrition, and recovery, we aim to empower players with science-led insights to support both performance and long-term wellbeing.

Strategy Planning

We were delighted to be able to get together as a team to align on plans for 2026.

Our thanks to Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort for having us. 

Contract News

There has been plenty of contractual news this month as clubs begin to lay out their plans for the coming seasons. Our congratulations to the following: 

Connacht Rugby

Shayne Bolton, John Devine, Cathal Forde, Darragh Murray and Seán O’Brien have all signed renewed deals out west. They will also be joined next season by Bath’s South African prop Francois van Wyk and departing Leinster Rugby duo Will Connors and Ciarán Frawley. Fiachna Barrett, Seán Naughton and Matthew Victory have all signed their first professional deals. 

Munster Rugby

Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Jeremy Loughman will all remain in Limerick, with Jean Kleyn set to depart for Gloucester Rugby, bringing his ten-year association with the province to an end. 

Ulster Rugby

Eli Snyman has joined on a two-year deal from this summer. Sam Crean, Nathan Doak, Rob Herring, Jack Murphy and Tom Stewart have all signed extensions. 

Rugby Players Ireland x Reformation

Rugby Players Ireland have partnered with Reformation, Dublin’s leading yoga and pilates studio, to offer a bespoke, Reformer and Mat Pilates course to our members. 

The programme has been specifically tailored to suit the demands and schedules of professional rugby players, with an emphasis on strength, mobility, recovery, and long-term wellbeing.

Achievement

Our congratulations and best wishes to all named in Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad. Special mention must be made of the uncapped Billy Bohan, Nathan Doak, Edwin Edogbo and Jude Postlethwaite. 

Darragh Murray and Bryn Ward travelled with the squad to Portugal for a pre-tournament camp before linking up with the Ireland XV squad that will be captained by Max Deegan. 

With injuries and retirements reshaping the team, this year’s squad has a noticeably different look compared to the 2025 Six Nations. However, with it comes plenty of opportunity for the new call-ups and the returning Robert Balacoune, Harry Byrne and front-rowers Jeremy Loughman, Michael Milne and Tom O’Toole.

Transition Workshops

As part of our ongoing series of Transition Workshops, players across squad groups continue to hear from former professionals about life after rugby.

Our Munster Rugby session was attended to by Duncan Casey and Keith Earls. 

Following his recent contribution to our Ulster Rugby panel alongside Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy shared honest insight into his own transition on his LinkedIn profile, highlighting how challenging the early months can be when the structure of professional sport falls away. He also noted how perspective soon changes as the pressures around selection and injury fade, and freedom increases.

Craig’s predominant message emphasised the importance of balance during a playing career:

“I feel like I played my best rugby when I was studying for my degree or had other projects going on. So, whilst I am still relatively new to the world outside professional sports, my advice would be to start something, no matter how small, and build something for yourself outside the jersey. And make sure you enjoy it too…”

Our thanks all former players who continue to support our members through these conversations.

Beyond the Game

A former recipient of the Rugby Players Ireland Personal Development Bursary, Hugh O’Sullivan balanced elite sport with full-time study throughout his career. His continued proactivity has led him to the Department of Foreign Affairs, a move underpinned by years of preparation, curiosity & support.

We spoke with him about his diplomatic journey.

Lucy Rock (née Mulhall), former Ireland Women’s 7s captain, has co-founded Femily, an online coaching community with Orlaith Curran. Drawing on their elite rugby experience, they provide performance-focused workouts, nutrition advice, and a supportive network for women at all fitness levels.

Learn more here.

Past Player LinkedIn Group

We’ve launched LinkedIn group page for our Past Player Network.

Those with approved access will find a professional space to connect, learn, and grow. Our page is focused on career development and professional opportunities, sharing news, job postings, and initiatives relevant to life beyond the pitch.

Join the Rugby Players Ireland professional network here.

European Athletes & Players Association

We had busy few days in Dublin with members of the EAPA community and sharing updates on key projects driving positive change for athletes across Europe.

In addition to an EAPA board meeting, the focus of our sessions was on three EU-funded projects: Protect Integrity Responsibly (PIR), Athletes for Good Governance and Rights in Europe (AGREE), and an introductory meeting for Tackle Your Feelings Europe, which sees our TYF campaign expand into several territories and sports across the European Union.