News

Highlights: December 2024

Navigating the Transition

We are always very grateful to our past player community who we often call upon to engage in workshops, attend partner events and participate in charitable initiatives.

This month, Rob Kearney and Jack McGrath were back at Leinster Rugby to discuss their respective experiences of retirement. Meanwhile, former athlete David Gillick facilitated a fascinating discussion on the same topic with our Men’s 7s members at the High Performance Centre. 

Player Development Programme

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Shift Group, a US based company aiming to bridge the gap between athletes, veterans and the business world. With an understanding of former elite athletes, Shift Group specialises in helping them transition into high-performing careers, with a particular focus on sales roles, through career development coaching, upskilling, and mentorship. 

Our congratulations to Kathryn Dane who completed her PhD journey. After securing an Irish Research Council grant, she embarked on her study through Trinity College and placed her focus on safety and optimal tackle outcomes in women’s rugby.

Annual Review

Full a more detailed look at the work carried out by Rugby Players Ireland throughout 2024, click here. 

In Business

Our congratulations to Irish 7s player Anna McGann who launched a jewellery brand in recent weeks. Chaos the Label has hit the ground running but having worked closely with Rugby Players Ireland in anticipation of her first collection going live, Anna is well prepared for the challenges that comes with balancing a business and a rugby career. 

We spoke to Anna and the various obstacles she has overcome to realise a lifelong ambition. 

Irish Women’s XVs forward Fiona Tuite also launched her new business. Based in Dublin, The Recharge Studio offers remote physiotherapist led deep tissue and sports massage. 

Contract News

A host of players kicked-off contract season in December. Our congratulations to all. 

Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter have signed on for two further years with the IRFU, with James Ryan and Robbie Henshaw committing to three year deals, while Bundee Aki will be staying put until at least the end of the 2025-26 season.  

Alex Nankivell has extended his stay at Munster Rugby until 2027. Shane Daly and Gavin Coombes followed suit by both penning two-year deals,while veteran prop Stephen Archer will play out the remainder of his 16th season at his home province.  

Michael Lowry, Ben Carson and Zac Ward have all committed to three-year deals at Ulster Rugby, while Jacob Stockdale put an end to speculation by penning a two-year deal which was announced on Christmas Eve. 

Achievement

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/World Rugby/Mattia Ozbot

Erin King‘s debut season for the Women’s XVs saw her named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year at the governing body’s annual awards dinner in Monaco. King makes history as the first Irish female player to win an individual award at the World Rugby Awards, Joy Neville having claimed the Referee of the Year award in 2017. 

Caelan Doris, who missed out on the Men’s Player of the Year gong to South Africa’s Pieter Steph du Toit, is one of four Irish players named in the Men’s Dream Team. He is joined in the pack by Tadhg Beirne while Jamison Gibson Park and James Lowe were also picked in the illustrious team. Aoife Wafer was named in the Women’s Dream Team. Terry Kennedy was nominated for the Men’s 7s Player of the Year which was won by Antoine Dupont. 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Meanwhile, despite being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2022, Josh van der Flier has had the tendency of going under the radar in what has been one of the most successful periods in our rugby history. However, he has remained consistently high-performing and his Player of the Autumn Nations Series nod has reinforced the flanker’s standing in the game. 

Lastly, the Murphy family had a Christmas to remember as both Ben (Connacht) and Jack (Ulster) lined out against each other for the first time in a provincial derby. It was also Jack’s first start for an Ulster Rugby side who are now coached by his father, Richie. Mother Stephanie was in the stands looking on without the diplomatic powers of Christmas Day! 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

New Ground

Clubhouse

Harry McNulty made a remarkable return to SVNS action just weeks after announcing his retirement. With the Irish squad hit by illness in Cape Town, McNulty – in South Africa as part of his new role with World Rugby – answered James Topping’s call to line out for the Irish Men’s 7s. 

Our thanks to Bryan Young, Ali Birch, Andy Park and Billy Dardis who accompanied Kevin Sinfield on the Belfast leg of his Running Home For Christmas campaign that saw him take on seven ultra marathons in seven days in member of his great friend Rob Burrows. The event was in aid of several MND charities. 

Having built a successful business forging lucrative college and NFL careers for Irish kickers, Tadhg Leader was the subject of a piece by the Irish Independent. 

Read it here. 

You can also check out more about our members and general RPI activity by reading the latest edition of our magazine which was released prior to Christmas.