URC Success
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Leinster lifted their first trophy since 2021 after a convincing 32-7 BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final win over the Bulls at Croke Park. Late injuries and wet weather failed to deter an attendance of 46,127 – a record for a league decider in Ireland – as Leo Cullen’s men became the first table-topping team to win the title in the URC era.
International Recognition
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Leah Scholes
There were a number of new faces in Paul O’Connell‘s Irish squad for the Summer Tour to be captained by Craig Casey. Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy and Tommy O’Brien all have recent experience in the National Team environment, while Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin all earned their first senior call ups after impressing for their Provinces and the Emerging Ireland squad earlier this season.
As the tour neared, there were also late call-ups for Josh Murphy, Evan O’Connell, Brian Gleeson, Diarmuid Kilgallen and Scott Wilson. Sadly, James McNabney who was named as a training panellist (along with Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward) were forced to withdraw following an ACL injury.
Rugby World Cup Prep
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The Ireland Women’s squad were back in pre-season training as they kicked off their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in England in August.
The squad gathered at the IRFU High Performance Centre where they will train across the summer. The initial group included the uncapped Alma Atagamen and Ivana Kiripati, who were later joined by Faith Oviawe, Kate Flannery, Ailish Quinn and Nancy McGillivray.
Other notable faces in the squad include the returning Sarah Delaney, Eimear Corri, Shannon Ikahihifo, Sam Monaghan and Beibhinn Parsons after missing both the WXV1 and Six Nations campaigns through injury.
Lions Update
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
The British and Irish Lions were beaten by Argentina for the first time as their tour to Australia encountered an early setback with a 28-24 loss in Dublin. Andy Farrell’s side, featuring late call-up Finlay Bealham, failed to break the resolve of their stubborn opponents who claimed a memorable victory.
However, the Lions, led by captain Dan Sheehan, bounced back in their first outing in Australia, delivering a devastating second-half surge to overwhelm Western Force 54-7.
Before their departure we joined Hugo Keenan, Rónan Kelleher, Jack Conan and James Lowe for a member event at Rugby Players IReland’s wellbeing partner, Dartry Health Club.
The Ireland Sports Fund
The Ireland Sports Fund, launched by former Ireland 7s captain Billy Dardis, offers scholarships to help professional rugby players prepare for life after sport. Backed by the Rugby Players Ireland Foundation and key partners, the fund removes financial barriers to education and career development.
Out & About
Representatives of Rugby Players Ireland were at Twickenham Stadium for the Annual Agent Seminar. The Agent Seminar is designed to educate and update agents on relevant topics, ensuring they are well-equipped to support professional rugby players.
Aoife Lane was in the offices of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in Manchester for a meeting of the Professional Players Federation’s Education & Training Committee.
Meanwhile, Simon Keogh attended FIFPro Europe’s General Assembly in Stockholm in his capacity as Vice-President of the European Athletes and Players Association.
Mountains 2 Mayo
Current and former rugby players scaled the heights again as they climbed mountains across Ireland for children and young people facing cancer across the country.
Inspired by Rory Best’s Miles2Mayo quest, the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo group climbed the highest peak in every county in Ireland over 9 gruelling days raising over £1,000,000 to ensure no child has to face cancer alone.
On the Move
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Rob Russell has linked up with Gloucester Rugby having left Leinster Rugby, while his former teammates Liam Turner is headed for France and USON Nevers Rugby.
Ireland U20 star Patrick Campbell has joined Ealing Trailfinders.
Following his 200th appearance for the province in their agonising URC defeat to the Sharks, it was confirmed that Rory Scannell will be moving on from Munster Rugby this summer.
Beyond the Game
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy closed out their respective careers with the Barbarians in Cape Town.
Tom Daly has brought his career to an end. Over the course of his nine-year professional career, Daly had spells Leinster, Connacht and most recently Stade Niçois. A former Players’ Player of the Year nominee, Daly was also called into the Irish squad in 2021.
Upon hanging up his boots following Bath Rugby’s silver laden end to the season, Niall Annett announced that he will return to where it all began by taking up an Elite Player Development Officer role with Ulster Rugby.
Former Munster academy and Irish U20 scrum-half Jack Cullen has released his latest single, All I Need.
Lastly, Conor Phillips has been turning heads on the latest series of Love Island.
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