10 Great Things to Know About the Ireland National Rugby Team

10 Great Things to Know About the Ireland National Rugby Team

With a rich history and heritage, the Ireland National Rugby Team is a force to be reckoned with in the sport. The squad has a lot to offer on and off the field because to its never-say-die mentality, ardent fan base, and excellent player lineup. We’ll look at 10 fascinating facts about the Ireland National Rugby Team in this post. There is a lot to learn about this great club, from their illustrious triumphs to their passionate rivals, their customs and pre-match rituals to their legendary players from the past and the present. All these will be discussed here in the 10 Great Things to Know About the Ireland National Rugby Team.

1. They Are Among The Top Rugby Union Teams In The World

Ireland V Romania. Joe Wicklow from Wicklow, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most people believe that the Ireland Rugby squad is among the top rugby union teams in the world. They are also among the most successful teams in the world, with a long record of honors that includes multiple victories on the international stage and consistent high rankings in the World Rugby Rankings. To confirm this, according to the latest rankings, they are the top leading team in the world particularly after their impressive performance in the Six Nations Championship.

So whether you’ve been a longtime supporter or are just learning about the team, join us on a tour through the world of Irish rugby and learn what makes the Ireland National Rugby Team one of the most adored and regarded teams in the sport.

2. They Are Ranked Number One In The World

Most people believe that the Ireland Rugby squad is among the top rugby union teams in the world. They are also among the most successful teams in the world, with a long record of honors that includes multiple victories on the international stage and consistent high rankings in the World Rugby Rankings.

3. They Are Regular Participants In The Six Nations Championship

Ireland winning the 2009 Six Nations Championship. ArunMarsh (Arun Marsh) profile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Together with England, France , Italy, Scotland, and, Wales, they all  compete in the Six Nations Championship, also known as the Guinness Six Nations. This event is held annually and currently Ireland are the defending champions after lifting the trophy in the 2023 competition.

4. Ireland Has Taken Part In All The Rugby World Cup Competitions

Ireland 2008 RLWC. paddynapper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ireland has taken part in all the Rugby World Cup competitions. In all but two events, they have participated in the quarterfinal round, but they have not yet advanced to the semi-final round. They have twice placed first in their pool. In a World Cup game, Ireland has never faced South Africa or England. The next edition of this prestigious tournament is set to be held between September – 28 October 2023, in France.

5. The Team’s Most-Capped Player Is Brian O’Driscoll

Brian O’Driscoll. Paul Walsh from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He made his rugby union debut in 1999 and has since earned 141 test caps, including 133 for Ireland (83 as captain) and 8 for the British and Irish Lions. In 2014, O’Driscoll announced his retirement from the professional game of rugby. He now works in the business and athletic industries.

6. Both The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Are Represented By The Team

The team include members from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland takes part in both the annual Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup. Players that are eligible to play for Ireland are also eligible to play for the British & Irish Lions, one of the four unions that make up the team.

7. Brian O’Driscoll Is One Of The Most Loved Players To Have Emerged From The Team

Brian O’Driscoll has played 141 test matches, including 133 for Ireland (83 as captain) and 8 for the Lions, earning him the fourth-most caps in rugby union history. He became the all-time leading try scorer in Irish Rugby in 2001 with 46 tries for Ireland and 1 try for the Lions.

8. Their Rivalry With England Is Always A Must Watch Match

Due to the convoluted histories of the two nations, Ireland and England’s rivalry is one that has a long history. The first match between the two teams was played in 1875, and it marked the start of an English winning streak of 42 games in a row. When the two teams played to a 6–6 draw at Twickenham in 1925, the streak came to an end. The first Irish victory ever would occur the following year in Dublin, 19–15. From this point on, the Irish would start to tie the series, which is presently 80-51 in England’s favor. It’s interesting to note that when one of these two teams takes the upper hand, they frequently maintain it across several seasons.

9. Their First Victory Against The All Blacks Was On 17 November 2018

Ireland eventually ended a 111-Year wait for a victory at Soldier Field, Chicago with a 40–29 win on 5 November 2016. On 17 November 2018, Ireland defated New Zealand 16–9 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, to win their first ever match against the All Blacks. During this game, the All Blacks’ lineout was not very impressive, with so many mistakes that the Irish capitalized on to win the match.

 10. The Current Team Is Coached By The Legendary Andy Farrell

The Ireland national rugby squad is presently led by Andy Farrell, who replaced Joe Schmidt as head coach in 2019.Since 2019, he has served as the Ireland national team’s head coach. Farrell, a dual-code international, amassed 34 caps for Great Britain, 11 in rugby league (including the 1995 and 2000 World Cups), and 8 in rugby union (including the 2007 World Cup).