News

Highlights: June 2026

A Time of Change

The end of the season inevitably brings about plenty of change across the Irish Rugby landscape. 

Retirements

In Limerick, Oli Jager followed John Ryan and Niall Scannell in announcing his retirement. Having missed out on spot in the Leinster academy, Jager relocated to New Zealand at 17. Having progressed through the ranks at the Crusaders, he became key member of their squad for several years, winning seven consecutive Super Rugby titles. He also played for the Provincial Barbarians against the British & Irish Lions in 2017, and was twice selected for the All Blacks XV under Clayton McMillan.

Jager returned to Ireland in 2023, was duly capped for Ireland but his time back home has been hampered by injury. He retires on medical grounds, aged 31. 

John Andrew is another to have announced his retirement. The Ballymena native amassed nearly 150 caps for Ulster Rugby after making his debut in 2015. The experienced hooker has transitioned into the healthcare industry as a Medical Sales Representative with New Vision Healthcare, covering Northern Ireland, Donegal, and Sligo.

The much loved prop Ellena Perry also brought the curtain down on her career, formally announcing her retirement as her season with Gloucester-Hartpury came to an end. Capped 11 times by by England, Perry was called into the Irish squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2025 having completed a three year stand-down period. She won nine caps, and many friends. 

Ed Byrne has also announced his retirement. Capped over 100 times for Leinster Rugby, Byrne represented his country on six occasions. He was part of multiple trophy-winning sides in Dublin before departing for Cardiff Blues ahead of the 2024/25 season. He returned to Leinster on a short-term deal in April, giving him the opportunity to close out his 14 year career on home turf. 

Having completed the TechSales Club this year through Rugby Players Ireland, Ed moves into a role with Rippling in August. 

Moving On

As Leinster Rugby brought their season to a successful end at Croke Park in the URC Grand Final, the occasion also offered the club the opportunity to say their farewells to several departing players who include Ciarán Frawley, Will Connors, Rieko Ioane, Rabah Slimani, John McKee and Jerry Cahir are also moving on.

Notably, Luke McGrath made the last of his 256 appearances for his home province ahead of his move to Perpignan this summer.

James Lowe also bowed out having joined Leinster in 2017 and going on to score a record 71 tries in just over 100 appearances for the club. A hugely influential figure for Ireland too, he won 45 caps and helped Andy Farrell’s side win two Six Nations titles, including the 2023 Grand Slam. 

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Thaakir Abrahams, Tony Butler, Fionn Gibbons, Jean Kleyn, Paddy Patterson, and Andrew Smith will depart Munster Rugby this summer, while George Hadden, Darragh McSweeney and Dylan Hicks have completed their time in the academy. 

Angus Bell, Matthew Dalton, James Humphreys, Werner Kok, Ben Moxham, Rory McGuire, Bryan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Sean Reffell and club stalwart David Shanahan are all leaving Ulster Rugby. The province also confirmed that Academy players Sam Berman, Wilhelm De Klerk, Ethan Graham, Lukas Kenny and Josh Stevens will also leave. 

In Galway, Connacht Rugby have confirmed that Oisin McCormack, Oisín Dowling, Peter Dooley, David Hawkshaw and Temi Lasisi are leaving the club, along with both Chay Mullins and Matthew Devine who are Ulster Rugby bound. Jack Aungier departs for Munster Rugby.

On Repeat

Our congratulations to Aoife Wafer who was crowned the Guinness Six Nations Women’s Player of the Championship for the second year in succession. The Wexford woman claimed 40% of the public vote having finished the campaign with the second highest number of carries (78) in the Championship, the joint top ranked player for dominant tackles (8), and post contact meters (129), and crossing the try line five times to finish joint third for tries scored throughout the five rounds.

Wafer was joined in the Team of the Championship by compatriots Erin King and Aoife Dalton.

World Players Summit

Rugby Players Ireland joined player association leaders from across the globe in Washington DC to discuss athlete rights, decent work in sport, wellbeing, governance, and the future of representation at the inaugural World Players Summit. 

A clear message emerged from the talks: high-level athletes create the value that drives sport and deserve rights, representation, and a voice in shaping its future.

Our thanks to the World Players Association for creating such a valuable opportunity to share ideas, collaborate, and strengthen athlete representation globally.

URC Recognition

Tom Clarkson, Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast, Stuart McCloskey and the departing Werner Kok were the five representatives of Irish provinces named in the URC’s Elite XV for their performances across 2025/26. 

For Laura

Players past and present embarked on a mammoth 24-hour walk in both Devon and Dublin on June 19/20 to support Ireland international Laura Sheehan, who is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer.

Led by players from Laura’s most recent clubs, Exeter Chiefs and Railway Union, teammates from across her career came together for a unique show of support in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland and the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation. 

The former Munster and Ireland winger was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year from which she developed an autoimmune condition affecting both her sight and her mobility. She is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme at present to help with her recovery, alongside her cancer treatment, at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

To date, over €15,000 has been raised. You can support this great cause here. 

We also spoke with Edel McMahon about the event. Read it here. 

Leading the Way

Our congratulations to Niamh Briggs and Larissa Muldoon who have been appointed Women’s Rugby Lead at Munster Rugby and Connacht Rugby respectively.