As part of the United Rugby Championship’s social purpose strategy, Take On Tomorrow, and the wider ambition to promote inclusion in sport, the BKT URC have been working on an activation in support of the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign, with Tackle Your Feelings to the fore. Ahead of Round 16, the BKT United Rugby Championship announced the launch of the Unity Round. The most colourful and inspirational round of the leagues season as the BKT URC dedicates a weekend to promoting inclusivity in sport, with rugby and the BKT URC eager to change mindsets and showcase that our events and game ..read more

Rugby Players Ireland in partnership with Zurich and the Z Zurich foundation are launching their new ‘Tackle Your Feelings Podcast’ alongside two of their Podcast guests; Irish international rugby players, James Lowe and Laura Feely.   Comprising of seven episodes, the ‘Tackle Your Feelings Podcast’ encourages listeners to rethink their approach to positive mental well-being by hearing from some of Ireland’s best-known rugby players who will share their methods of maintaining strong, positive mental health. Listeners can expect to hear a range of insights, in ..read more

Some of Ireland and England’s greatest rugby legends will compete in a charity match in Energia Park at 5:30pm on St. Patrick’s Day in aid of rugby charities both in Ireland and the UK. Irish greats Gordon D’Arcy, Sean O’Brien, and Devin Toner will face off against a star-studded English side including Matt Banahan, David Strettle and Delon Armitage. The annual event alternates location between England and Ireland and this year it is set to take place in Energia Park at 5:30pm on St. Patrick’s Day on the eve of Ireland against England in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations. This will b ..read more

There’s a saying that if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. For Darren O’Reilly the athlete, he didn’t achieve all he wanted to in his professional rugby career. But the further he gets from his rugby playing days, the clearer it becomes that those formative years of dedication, resilience and sacrifice were in preparation for something greater beyond rugby. “My rugby career gave me the fundamental transferable skills that have since proved to be critical through each stage of my subsequent career,” he says. Entering the corporate world in Dublin upon his ret ..read more

Firing on all Cylinders February was a successful period on all fronts with the senior men’s and U20s nationals sides enjoying winning starts to their respective Six Nations campaigns (including a first senior win in Cardiff for ten years), while the newly assembled Combined Provinces squad have also claimed three successive wins in their Celtic Challenge tournament.  Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady   In Solidarity with WRPA Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan With players in Wales currently involved in a dispute with their union, player associations met to discuss the situati ..read more

Players associations involved in the United Rugby Championship (URC) have today expressed their solidarity with the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA). With players in Wales currently involved in a dispute with their union, player associations met to discuss the situation and pledge their support to WRPA Chief Executive Gareth Lewis and the senior players. “The success of Welsh rugby is critical to the global game but in particular the 6 Nations and URC competitions,” said Rugby Players Ireland boss Simon Keogh. “We hope a meaningful resolution can be found here.” “Gare ..read more

Drawing True Strength from his Support Network As 2023 got going, Tackle Your Feelings announced Andrew Porter as the campaign’s latest ambassador. In his video highlighting the TYF Schools programme, Porter reflects on the impact his family and friends have had on his mental wellbeing especially since his mother passed away at a young age, and the importance he places on being surrounded by a strong support network. The clip explores Andrew’s gratefulness for his supportive network of family and friends, who have always been there for him to talk to and to express his feelings. Andrew spea ..read more

In his documentary After the Roar, Brian O’Driscoll reflected on his transition from professional rugby and the various challenges it posed. Notably, even though he enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in the sport, the former Irish captain remarked how he felt a ‘little envy towards those still playing.’ Consider then how Rowan Osborne must have felt when the 25-year-old was told to pack up his things with just a handful of senior appearances to his name. Having received specialist medical care for concussion it was determined that the scrum-half should retire in the interests of his lon ..read more

Darragh Murray slipped out of the Sportsground largely unnoticed following the province’s dismantling of the Sharks earlier this month. Though the same can be said for many academy players trying to force their way into their senior team, the Roscommon native has cut a more recognisable figure than most.   In his few games for Connacht to that point, the marauding mullet was a standout on account of both his all-action displays and his unkempt mane. Whether or not his locks bestowed special powers upon him will be revealed over the coming weeks, but for now the Roscommon native is happy t ..read more

 Not many of us could can claim to have visted Dubai, Cape Town and Hamilton in New Zealand within a few short weeks. For Stacey Flood, all represent familiar territory. As she enters her eighth season travelling the world with the Irish Sevens, the Dubliner continues to relish the challenge with the same determination that might have been expected on her first outing for her country. “I’m one of the crusty dusties,” she informs us. “[Amee-] Leigh [Murphy Crowe], Lucy [Mulhall] and I have been around the block a few times at this stage and that’s what the young ones call us. I’m their Aun ..read more