It was only a few months out from the Olympic Games and Claire Boles found herself in the most difficult of places. Despite her invaluable experience at 7s, several selections passed her by in one of the most important playing years of her career. Doubt is one of the great parasites of the mind, and […] The post Finding Hope appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

End of an Era It was a quiet Thursday morning when it was announced that the final weeks of the Six Nations will be the last in green for Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray. The trio, who have been mainstays of the Irish team for over a decade, have earned widespread recognition for […] The post Highlights: February 2025 appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

LinkedIn Workshop There was a strong rugby representation as the Performance Life Skills team at the Sport Ireland Institute facilitated a bespoke LinkedIn workshop for elite athletes. As well as getting the most out of the platform, including one-to-one LinkedIn coaching sessions, the athletes were addressed on the power of networking by Billy Dardis. Billy […] The post Highlights: January 2025 appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

Former Connacht Rugby stalwart Ronan Loughney has returned to the province as Player Development Manager. Here he shares his thoughts after his first few months in the role. The opportunity to contribute positively to the player environment in Connacht Rugby was very appealing. I have a great appreciation for what Rugby Players Ireland (RPI) did for […] The post Locked In appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

Olympian and current Ulster Rugby player Zac Ward explains why he has linked up with Tackle Your Feelings   Zac, can you tell us about a pivotal moment in your life when you became aware of the importance of mental health. I think the first thing that probably comes to mind is off the back […] The post Zac Ward on Playing His Part appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

The Ireland and England Legends squads have been announced for a match in Energia Park on January 31st in aid of rugby charities in Ireland and the UK. Irish greats Shane Byrne, Malcolm O’Kelly, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock and more will face off against a star-studded English side including Delon Armitage, Dave Attwood and David Strettle. Both the Ireland and England […] The post The Legends Return to Dublin appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

When the two lads crossed each other’s path on Pembroke Street, a mixture of trepidation and giddiness was etched across their faces. Like schoolboys on the first day of class, Billy Dardis and Terry Kennedy were bracing for the unknown.    It wasn’t quite the drama of stepping onto the Stade de France, but the […] The post Billy’s Scene appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

We are immensely proud of all that was achieved throughout 2024. From the launch of a brain health service and the establishment of a dedicated past player programme, to sell-out events and a lead role in British & Irish Lions negotiations, it has been a productive 12 months. Thank you for your continued support.   […] The post Annual Review 2024 appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

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 […] The post Highlights: December 2024 appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more

Anna McGann revels in a challenge. They’re not always welcome but each one has forged a stronger link in the chain of her resilience. Her life has been full of them over the past few years, testing her mettle in ways few could have anticipated. The launch of her jewellery brand, Chaos The Label, emerges […] The post From Pitch to Pendants appeared first on Rugby Players Ireland ..read more