An outstanding run of form has seen the province reel off ten consecutive wins in all competitions, and they now have the opportunity to make it 11 straight when they host Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, before attention turns to the Guinness Six Nations break.

The defence of their BKT URC title did not begin smoothly. Leinster managed just one win from their opening four league fixtures, struggling for momentum while a long list of frontline players was unavailable. Since then, however, Cullen’s side have surged back into contention, winning six URC matches on the bounce to climb to third in the table, while also completing a perfect four-from-four record in the Investec Champions Cup pool stage.

Reflecting on that turnaround, Cullen was quick to credit the resilience shown within the camp.

“I have to applaud our players and staff because they’ve worked incredibly hard over the last couple of months,” he said. “The group was getting a bit of flak at the start of the season, especially with the number of players missing, and we just took it on the chin.

“It’s a real credit to the characteristics these guys show every day.”

Leinster’s latest success came last weekend in Galway, where they claimed a 34–23 bonus-point win over Connacht in front of a record 12,461 crowd at the Dexcom Stadium, on a night that also marked the opening of the new Clan Stand.

“We knew it was going to be a huge occasion because it’s been in the calendar for a long time,” Cullen said. “We were heading into a hostile environment against a team that was going to be hugely motivated, so we expected a tough challenge.

“Connacht started the game a million miles an hour. They flew into everything on both sides of the ball, exactly as we thought they would. Credit to them, it was tit-for-tat throughout.

“It’s always satisfying to come away from a place like that with a bonus-point win.”

Focus now shifts to Saturday’s URC meeting with Edinburgh, who arrive in Dublin sitting 12th in the table after a home defeat to the Vodacom Bulls last time out.

Assistant coach Robin McBryde believes Leinster must ensure their recent work is capped off properly before the break.

“After a difficult start, we’ve just kept building week by week through what’s been a long block,” he said. “It’s been good, but now we’ve got to finish the job.

“Everyone is looking forward to the break after Saturday, so it’s one final push. There’s a different feel around the place this week with a lot of internationals away with their countries, which is always an honour.

“It brings a different energy and buzz, and everyone’s excited for the weekend.”

McBryde is expecting a response from the Scottish side following last weekend’s setback.

“They’ll be hurting after that result and keen to finish their own block on a high,” he added. “It’s always better going into a break with a win because the result stays with you.

“They’re a cohesive group, so it’ll be tough enough. We just need to improve on certain aspects from last Saturday and really re-knuckle down.”

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At this point, it’s becoming a quiz question rather than a team update.

Ireland’s Six Nations build-up has been shredded by injuries, with absentees piling up across every line of the squad. This isn’t one problem area — it’s everywhere. Backfield, midfield, front row, engine room. Pick a position and Ireland are light.

Start with the back three, where the list alone tells the story. Hugo Keenan is out. Mack Hansen is out. Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Shayne Bolton and Jordan Larmour are also unavailable. That’s Ireland’s most dependable organiser at full-back, their most creative winger, and almost all of the versatility Farrell relies on when games break open. Experience, aerial security and counter-attacking threat — gone.

The midfield situation is just as damaging. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are both sidelined. Together, they’ve been the heartbeat of Ireland’s defence and the launchpad for so much of the attack. Remove both, and Ireland aren’t just replacing players — they’re replacing an entire system built around power, trust and defensive reads.

Up front, concerns deepen. At loosehead prop, Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle are all missing. Porter’s absence is enormous. He sets the tone physically, plays big minutes and anchors the scrum. Against France, losing that security is no small thing.

In the back five of the pack, Ryan Baird and Tom Ahern are also out. That’s athleticism, lineout flexibility and dynamic carrying stripped from the engine room — exactly the attributes needed to live with France’s power game.

Even the betting markets have lost faith. Just last week, Ireland were +5 for this fixture. By Monday, that had drifted to +9. Now it has stretched to +13. An eight-point swing in a matter of days doesn’t happen on sentiment. It reflects mounting injuries, disrupted preparation and a growing belief that Ireland will struggle to live with France’s physicality and depth in Paris.

And even now, the list may not be finished. Tadhg Furlong, Robert Baloucoune and Jamie Osborne remain doubts. Any one of those missing would be a blow. More than one, and the margin for error shrinks further.

This isn’t about panic — but it is about reality. Ireland are missing players in every critical area of the pitch. Depth will be tested, combinations will be rushed, and young players will be asked to learn fast in one of the harshest environments in world rugby.

Paris doesn’t wait. France won’t ease off. And when the absentees list is this long, the Six Nations stops being about momentum and starts being about survival.

Ireland Six Nations Absentees & Doubts

Back Three

• Hugo Keenan
• Mack Hansen
• Calvin Nash
• Jimmy O’Brien
• Shayne Bolton
• Jordan Larmour

Midfield

• Bundee Aki
• Robbie Henshaw

Loosehead Prop

• Andrew Porter
• Paddy McCarthy
• Jack Boyle

Back Five of the Pack

• Ryan Baird
• Tom Ahern

Major Doubts

• Tadhg Furlong
• Robert Baloucoune
• Jamie Osborne

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Bundee Aki has not travelled with the Ireland men’s senior squad to Portugal as the IRFU continues an internal investigation into a disciplinary issue involving the Connacht centre.

The IRFU confirmed on Wednesday that Aki’s omission is for disciplinary reasons, following a misconduct complaint raised after Connacht’s recent URC fixture at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. The complaint relates to alleged interactions with match officials, which are currently being examined under the United Rugby Championship’s disciplinary regulations.

In a statement, the IRFU said it “does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials” and reiterated that behaviour falling below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby will not be condoned. The governing body added that the matter is being investigated internally and that no further comment will be made at this time.

Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite, who is uncapped at senior international level, has been called into the squad as Aki’s replacement.

Separately, Aki is due to appear before an Independent Disciplinary Committee in relation to the URC complaint. The hearing will consider whether his conduct breached league rules on misconduct, with a decision expected following that process.

Beyond the immediate disciplinary issue, the situation also arrives at a significant point in Aki’s career. The Connacht centre turns 36 in April and is out of central contract with the IRFU at the end of the current season, leaving his long-term future uncertain.

While Aki has been a hugely influential figure for both Connacht and Ireland, competition in the centre has intensified and his role is no longer guaranteed. Younger options are emerging at both provincial and international level, and his minutes are being managed more carefully than in previous seasons.

That context makes Connacht’s next move particularly interesting. Retaining Aki would provide experience, leadership and continuity, but the province must also balance age profile, budget constraints and succession planning. At 36, and no longer a definite starter, any new deal is likely to reflect a more transitional role.

For now, the focus remains on the outcome of the disciplinary process and the IRFU’s internal review. Once those matters conclude, attention will turn to whether Bundee Aki’s time in Galway extends beyond this season — or whether Connacht begin to turn the page on one of the most significant players in their professional history.

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The 8.10pm Irish time kick-off, live on Virgin Media One and TNT Sports, will be the first game in a busy month of international fixtures for the Irish side.

Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the second time at Soldier Field, while Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy is in line for his Test debut off the bench.

In the pack, Farrell has chosen Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe in the Ireland back three.

Stuart McCloskey will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Munster’s Jack Crowley will start at out-half, partnering Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

Andrew Porter, captain Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong constitute the front row.

James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are in the engine room, and a back row of Ryan Baird at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan at number eight completing Ireland’s starting line-up.

Strong Irish bench

Farrell has strong options on the bench with Ronan Kelleher, the uncapped McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson and the returning Caelan Doris the forward replacements.

Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki will provide the backline reinforcements.

“A privilege to be back here”

As he looked forward to Saturday’s game against the All Blacks, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said:

“It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand. The clashes with New Zealand over the years have been fantastic occasions and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday.

“The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing and there’s great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend. Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.”

Ireland (v New Zealand):

(Club/Province/Caps)

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(8)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)(2)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(67)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(21)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(40)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(26)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(43)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(75)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(32)(captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(79)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(72)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(61)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(29)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(73)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(51)

Ireland Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(39)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(51)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(85)
20. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(51)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(20)
22. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(9)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(65).

* denotes uncapped

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The Ireland team to face Georgia this weekend has been named — and there’s a notable mix of youth, form, and provincial pride across the 23. With several players away on British & Irish Lions duty and others out through injury, this is a chance for fresh talent to shine.

Here’s how the squad breaks down by province:

Connacht – 4 Players

• 5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers) – Uncapped
• 18. Jack Aungier (Clontarf) – Uncapped
• 20. Cian Prendergast (UCD) – 4 caps
• 21. Ben Murphy (Clontarf) – Uncapped

Munster – 5 Players

• 9. Craig Casey (Shannon) – 18 caps (Captain)
• 8. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster) – 2 caps
• 19. Tom Ahern (Shannon) – Uncapped
• 22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution) – 24 caps
• 23. Calvin Nash (Young Munster) – 10 caps

Ulster – 5 Players

• 4. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch) – Uncapped
• 7. Nick Timoney (Banbridge) – 3 caps
• 11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan) – 38 caps
• 12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor) – 19 caps
• 16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch) – 2 caps

Leinster – 9 Players

• 1. Jack Boyle (UCD) – 2 caps
• 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD) – 4 caps
• 3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University) – 6 caps
• 6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University) – 27 caps
• 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne) – 8 caps
• 13. Jamie Osborne (Naas) – 7 caps
• 14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD) – Uncapped
• 15. Jimmy O’Brien (Naas) – 8 caps
• 17. Michael Milne (UCD) – Uncapped

Total Breakdown

• Leinster – 9 players
• Ulster – 5 players
• Munster – 5 players
• Connacht – 4 players

Commentary

Absolutely delighted to see Darragh Murray make his first start for Ireland.

Only one Connacht player in the starting XV is a little disappointing, especially given how many front-liners are unavailable. Still, with three more Connacht men on the bench, there’s every chance they’ll get decent game time.

The bookies have Ireland as 16-point favourites, which feels like a stretch. With a squad full of new caps, any sort of win would be a bonus. What matters most is the experience this group gains at international level.

Ireland Team Named for Summer Tour Opener in Tbilisi

Paul O’Connell, interim Head Coach of the Ireland Men’s team, has named his matchday 23 to face Georgia in the opening game of the two-Test Summer Series this Saturday evening at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi (kick-off 9pm local time / 6pm Irish time).

There are two debutants in the starting XV and a further four uncapped players on the bench, as Ireland looks to build depth during this developmental tour.

Captain Casey Makes History

Craig Casey will captain Ireland for the first time, becoming the 112th Test captain in the nation’s history. The Munster scrum-half also becomes just the third 9 to lead Ireland in the professional era, following Niall Hogan (3 times) and Eoin Reddan (once).

He’ll form a half-back partnership with exciting young out-half Sam Prendergast, while the midfield pairing sees Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne link up.

Tommy O’Brien will make his international debut on the wing, joining Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale in the back three.

Milestone in Sight for Stockdale

Jacob Stockdale is set to win his 39th cap. One more try would see him become the 21st Irish player to reach 100+ points for the national side. It would also move him into outright 6th on Ireland’s all-time try-scoring list, ahead of Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy.

New Faces in the Pack

Darragh Murray (Connacht) earns his first cap in the second row alongside Cormac Izuchukwu. The front row features Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, and Thomas Clarkson, while the back row sees Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, and Gavin Coombes complete the starting pack.

Four More Uncapped Players on the Bench

The replacements bench includes four potential debutants: Munster duo Michael Milne and Tom Ahern, and Connacht pair Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy.

They are joined by Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast, and Calvin Nash — all of whom will be expected to make an impact off the bench.

Coach’s View – Paul O’Connell

“I’ve been really impressed with the application of this group in the build-up to the tour. Saturday presents a fantastic opportunity for these players to represent their country and show what they can do on the international stage.

To Craig — I’d like to congratulate him on his first game as captain. He’s taken to the role superbly and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading the team.”

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Ireland’s Biggest Stadiums: A Complete Guide to Our Sporting Cathedrals

From Croke Park to Thomond Park — here’s a full list of Ireland’s largest stadiums and the stories behind them.

By SportsNewsIRELAND.com

Introduction

Ireland’s sporting landscape is built on passion, tradition, and unforgettable days in the stands. Across the country, from Dublin to Kerry, Cork to Belfast, you’ll find some of Europe’s most atmospheric and historic stadiums. Whether it’s the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park, a Munster rugby night in Thomond Park, or League of Ireland action in Tallaght, these venues are the heartbeat of Irish sport.

Here’s a complete guide to Ireland’s biggest stadiums — across GAA, rugby, soccer, and cricket — and what makes them special.

Ireland’s Biggest Stadiums

1. Croke Park, Dublin – 82,300 (GAA)

The largest stadium in Ireland and one of the biggest in Europe. Home to the All-Ireland football and hurling finals, it’s the beating heart of Gaelic Games.

2. Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 51,700 (Soccer & Rugby)

A world-class venue that hosts Ireland’s international soccer and rugby matches.

3. Semple Stadium, Thurles – 45,690 (Hurling)

The spiritual home of hurling in Tipperary and beyond.

4. Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork – 45,000 (GAA)

Recently redeveloped on the banks of the Lee, it’s a key GAA venue in Munster.

5. Gaelic Grounds, Limerick – 44,023 (GAA)

Limerick’s fortress and a hurling stronghold.

Other Major Stadiums Across Ireland

Ireland’s Best Rugby & Soccer Stadiums

• Thomond Park, Limerick – 25,600
• RDS Arena, Dublin – 18,500
• Ravenhill, Belfast – 18,196
• Tallaght Stadium, Dublin – 10,500
• Turner’s Cross, Cork – 7,385
• Dalymount Park, Dublin – 4,500
• Tolka Park, Dublin – 5,400
• Windsor Park, Belfast – 18,614

GAA County Grounds That Matter

• O’Moore Park, Laois – 22,000
• Cusack Park, Ennis – 20,100
• Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon – 18,890
• Markievicz Park, Sligo – 18,558
• Athletic Grounds, Armagh – 18,500
• Brewster Park, Fermanagh – 18,000
• Healy Park, Omagh – 17,636
• MacCumhaill Park, Donegal – 17,500

The Hidden Gems

• Malahide Cricket Club – 11,500
• Stormont, Belfast – 6,000
• Morton Stadium, Santry – 8,800
• The Showgrounds, Sligo – 3,873
• Corrigan Park, Antrim – 3,700

Final Word

Whether it’s a packed Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day, Munster under the lights in Thomond, or the tight terraces of Dalymount Park, Ireland’s stadiums are woven into the fabric of our national identity. These venues are more than just bricks and mortar — they’re the stages where dreams are made, hearts are broken, and legends are born.

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World Rugby’s Latest Innovation: T1 Rugby – A Game for Everyone

In an exciting move, World Rugby has introduced T1 Rugby, a groundbreaking non-contact sport that preserves the essence of traditional rugby, featuring elements such as scrums, lineouts, and breakdowns. This innovative step aims to boost engagement and accessibility for young people worldwide.

T1 Rugby is positioned as “a game for everyone, played by anyone,” with a strong focus on enjoyment, fitness, inclusivity, and efficient use of time. This format promises a welcoming and safe environment for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, aligning with World Rugby’s global sport-for-all mission.

What sets T1 Rugby apart is its ability to mirror the key characteristics of rugby, including lineouts, scrums, kicking, and the essence of a rugby match, all while maintaining a non-contact nature. This unique approach retains the attacking and defending aspects of rugby, requiring players to make strategic decisions.

Remarkably, participants have reported understanding the rules in under 20 minutes, highlighting the game’s simplicity and its authentic rugby feel. Players have expressed a strong desire to play T1 Rugby regularly if given the opportunity.

World Rugby is set to launch T1 Rugby globally through its national member unions. The format was previewed during the Rugby World Cup 2023 media match in Paris on October 17. Member unions, spanning from England and New Zealand to Laos and Vietnam, have contributed to T1 Rugby’s development, as it offers a flexible format to expand rugby’s reach worldwide.

As global participation rates, especially among young people in emerging rugby markets, have seen an 11% increase in the past year, T1 Rugby is poised to become the cornerstone of World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby program. This new non-contact sport is expected to gain traction in clubs and schools worldwide.

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s Chief Executive, expressed enthusiasm for the introduction of T1 Rugby, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility to a diverse and younger audience. With its potential to expand beyond traditional nations and demographics, T1 Rugby is set to play a pivotal role in the growth of rugby, especially with the forthcoming men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the USA.

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Expanded to 24 Teams

One of the most significant alterations to the Rugby World Cup format will be the expansion to 24 teams. This expansion is a bold move that aims to make the tournament more inclusive and bring rugby to new corners of the world. The increased number of teams will undoubtedly lead to a more diverse and competitive tournament.

Introducing the Round of 16

In a move that mirrors the format of other major international sports tournaments, the Rugby World Cup will now feature a Round of 16. This means that the top two teams from each pool, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage. This change adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition and ensures that more teams have a chance to progress deeper into the tournament.

Reduced Window and Pool Phase

To streamline the tournament and ensure it remains a logistical triumph, the Rugby World Cup in 2027 will reduce its duration. Previously, the competition spanned six weeks (or seven weekends), but now it will take place in a shorter five-week period. This change is designed to minimize player fatigue and maintain the high level of intensity that fans have come to expect from the Rugby World Cup.

Late Pool Draw

Another intriguing change is the decision to conduct the pool draw in January 2026 This move is aimed at maximizing the suspense and intrigue surrounding the tournament. It means that teams and fans will have a shorter wait to discover their opponents but it will avoid the 2021 debacle of the top five teams on one side of the draw.

Six Pools of Four Teams

The new format will see the teams divided into six pools, each consisting of four teams. This setup ensures a balanced and competitive group stage, with each team having an equal opportunity to advance to the Round of 16. The pool phase is shortened from four to five weeks, maintaining a rapid pace and keeping fans engaged throughout.

Possible pools for Rugby World Cup 2027 according to current World Rankings 

South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, Spain

New Zealand, Wales, Georgia, Romania

Ireland, Australia, Samoa, Namibia

France, Fiji, Tonga, Chile

England, Italy, Uruguay, Canada

Scotland, Japan, USA, Hong Kong

Other possible teams : Brazil, Netherlands, Switzerland, Korea, Zimbabwe.

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Enhancing Rugby Player Safety through Cutting-Edge Data Collection

In a pioneering move, the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) has teamed up with Marker Diagnostics to implement an innovative data collection initiative, specifically designed to elevate elite player safety and build upon prior concussion research.

Comprehensive Research Involving All 16 Teams

After successful small-scale trials with Marker during the 2022/23 season, all 16 teams in the BKT URC have enthusiastically enrolled in this research for the 2023/24 season. This extensive collaboration with Marker involves leveraging their patented and CE marked salivary diagnostic concussion test, which stands as the sole approved biological diagnostic for mild traumatic brain injury in adult male athletes.

Marker’s Saliva Testing: A Game-Changer in Concussion Diagnosis

Marker’s revolutionary approach utilizes saliva testing for players entering the Head Injury Assessment protocols. By analyzing non-coding RNA biomarkers in saliva, this diagnostic test holds the potential to become a crucial component in accurately identifying concussions and monitoring the safe return to play.

Strategic Data Collection Process

Marker will commence the initiative by collecting baseline saliva samples from BKT URC players at the beginning of the season. Subsequent suspected and confirmed concussion incident samples will be collected during various stages of the mandatory Head Injury Assessment (HIA) evaluation process. This includes on-pitch assessment during HIA 1, post-game (HIA 2), 36-48 hours after the game (HIA 3), and when the player is set to return to play (HIA 4).

Advancing Research for Safer Return to Play

The collaborative effort aims to provide additional research data, expanding the test’s prognostic application within the HIA process. Dr. Mike Dunlop, United Rugby Championship Medical Advisor, expresses the league’s commitment to accelerating research related to player safety.

Endorsement from Thought Leaders

David Cohen, Chairman of Marker, acknowledges the visionary support received from thought leaders in rugby. The collaboration with BKT URC and Union medical teams signifies a meaningful expansion of Marker’s technology application, aiming to protect the brain health of players across genders and age groups.

URC starts Rugby Player Head Safety Initiative

Dr. Dunlop highlights the simplicity of Marker’s saliva testing approach and anticipates that extending this initiative across all teams during the season will yield a valuable dataset for researchers and the URC to consider.

This strategic collaboration represents a significant leap forward in advancing brain health and safety standards in the realm of rugby, showcasing the commitment of BKT URC and Marker Diagnostics to pioneering research for the well-being of athletes at every level of the game.

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Despite the origins of the game dating back over 164 years and the governing body the  IRB being formed in Dublin in 1886, we had to wait until 1987 for the first formally organised Rugby World Cup to take place. 

There are many political and sporting reasons why the event took one hundred and one years to organise. 

The Origins

Allegedly, the origins of the sport began in the town of Rugby in the English Midlands in 1823, when a certain young gentleman by the name of William Webb Ellis decided to pick up the ball and run with it. The rest, as they say, is history. The trophy that the twenty best teams in the world will compete for in France over the next two months bears his moniker as a testament to his legacy.

Before 1885 the laws of the game were still somewhat up for dispute. After a contentious try in a game between England and Scotland, the English claimed that as they founded the game they should be the final arbitrator of any disputes. Unsurprisingly this was not acceptable to the home unions of Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The trio met in Dublin in 1886 to formalise the rules and set up the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB), the English RFU eventually relented and joined in 1890.

The Split

During the next decade, the game underwent a form of civil war as the ruling bodies of the game wished to remain amateur, while a large portion of the players in working-class regions wished to be compensated for loss of earnings due to matches clashing with their normal working hours. This led to a split within the game which became known as ‘the great schism and led to the creation of two separate codes, Rugby League and Rugby Union. 

Global Spread

The spread of the game internationally was due largely to the British Army and British Navy. Teams were established in British colonial outposts. The spread to other countries by ex-pats was somewhat slower. In the commonwealth countries of Australia, South Africa and particularly New Zealand the game spread quickly, while in tropical areas such as India and the West Indies, the slower tempo of Cricket was more suited to the climate.

Rugby at the Olympics

In 1900 Rugby was introduced at the second running of the modern Olympics. This was thanks in no small part to the lobbying by the father of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. It helped that the Baron was a huge rugby fan. De Coubertain himself refereed the first-ever game in the domestic French Club Championships in 1892. Only three countries sent teams to the games held in Paris. 

France, Germany and Great Britain contested the games and the French went home with the Gold medal. 

Rugby wasn’t part of the 1904 games in St.Louis, but returned for the 1908 games in London. There were also only two teams this time around Australia and Great Britain. The Wallabies lifted the title. It was 1920 before Rugby was included again and an American side made up of players from Stanford, Berkeley and Santa Clara Universities lifted the crown in Antwerp, Belguim. The 1924 Olympics games was, to date, the last time rugby was included as a 15 a-side game. The US defeated the hosts France in the final in front of 21,00 in Colombes and the disgruntled locals invaded the pitch on the final whistle. 

 In 1925 Baron Pierre de Coubertin stepped down as head of the Olympic movement, the IRB had never encouraged their members to participate in the games and the lack of support led to the end of the sports involvement with the Olympics until the sevens version of the game was reintroduced in Brazil in 2016. 

The ‘Originals’

Around the same time as the Olympic Games was being revived, rugby-playing countries began to send representative sides on ‘tours’ to other rugby nations. The most famous of these sides was the 1905 ‘Original All-Blacks’ led by Donegal man Dave Gallaher. Born in Ramelton, as David  Gallagher he moved to New Zealand with his parents while still a child. In 1895 he joined Ponsonby Rugby club and went on to play in New Zealand’s first-ever test match, against Australia in Sydney in 1903. 

The ‘Originals’ played 35 games in the British Isles, France and the USA during a span of six months from September 1905 to January 1906. They lost only one of these (0-3 against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park) and scored 976 points while conceding only 59. Their 15-0 win over England at Crystal Palace drew a then record crowd estimated to be 100,000. It was during this tour that they picked up the All-Blacks tag. 

Disputed governance globally

The logistics of long-distance travel in the early part of the century were slow and costly. Touring teams went from one hemisphere to another for long spells. They needed to play multiple games to justify the travel. The success of both the Olympics and FIFA’s football World Cups had shown that the public interest was there for major sporting events. However, the politics of the governing bodies and the fact that Rugby was played at different times of the year in the two different hemispheres delayed the development of a Rugby equivalent.

The ‘Home Unions’ of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales had been slow to include other countries in the governance of the game. They felt that they were the guardians of the amateur principles upon which the game was founded. 

Despite the success of various southern hemisphere touring sides, it wasn’t until 1948 that the Australian Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby Football Union and South Africa Rugby Board joined the IRFB. The French Federation joined in 1978 and it wasn’t until after they had already held the first World Cup in 1987  that Italy, Argentina, Canada and Japan were invited to join in 1991. 

Plans for a World Cup

Harold Tolhurst, a former Australian winger and a test match referee, was among the first to formally propose a  Rugby World Cup. In the early 1960’s he suggested that Australia host a month long tournament to find a world champion between the four sides from Great Britain, France, South Africa, New Zealand and the hosts. But in 1968 the IRFB stated that they forbade their member countries from participating in any such tournament. As recently as 1983 the IRB (International Rugby Board) stated that ‘the concept found no support’. Among the principal objections was the fact that the IRB did not want such a tournament to be run by commercial operators as they feared this would encroach on their ‘amateur ethos’.

But as Bob Dylan might have said, the times they were a-changin’. The 1981 Springboks tour to New Zealand saw riots outside the grounds as the Apartheid regime came under the spotlight. Isolation from the rest of the rugby world led the South African board (SARB) to propose a professional game. Meanwhile, there was a dispute in Australia as nine members of their squad to play New Zealand refused to travel. They argued that the daily allowance offered was too small. In 1983 David Lord, an Australian entrepreneur, proposed a professional league along the same lines as Kerry Packer’s successful Cricket league.

The increasing commercialisation and popularity of other sports in traditional rugby areas as well as the advent of sports television and the associated earning potential led the power brokers of the game into a rethink. At a meeting in 1984 it was agreed to conduct a feasibility study into holding a Rugby World Cup. The feedback this time was positive and at a meeting held in Paris in 1985 a vote was taken. The ‘Home Nations’ were still initially opposed, with the southern hemisphere powers and France in favour of a global tournament.  After an initial tied vote, John Kendall-Carpenter of England was won over and changed his vote as did his Welsh counterpart on hearing of the change, so it was now a 10-6 vote in favour of a World Cup. The tournament was to be held jointly by Australia and New Zealand from 22 May – 20 June 1987.

In part two of the story I’ll take a look at Ireland’s record in the first World Cup in Australia in 1987.

For further reading on the history of the Rugby World Cup and the origins of the game take look at the following links:

https://web.archive.org/web/20060414193531/http://www.worldcupweb.com/WCrugby/history.asp

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/1987-rugby-world-cup/the-world-cup-is-born

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gallaher-s-great-legacy-brought-home-at-last-1.547030

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_World_Cup

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