Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team is the men's representative national team for the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland competes in the annual Six Nations Championship and in the Rugby World Cup. Ireland is one of the four unions that make up the British & Irish Lions – players eligible to play for Ireland are also eligible for the Lions.
First Ireland rugby team: defeated by England on 15 February 1875 at The Oval, by two goals and a try to nil
South Africa and Ireland teams posing together at their 1912 test at Lansdowne Road.
1920 illustration of the Ireland versus Wales match
The Ireland team that played Argentina at Ferro Carril Oeste in 1970
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men's rugby union competition between the teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It is also the oldest sports tournament ever between Home Nations. The championship holders are Ireland, who won the 2024 tournament.
The Original Six Nations Championship Trophy (left, 1993–2014) and The Triple Crown Trophy
Image: Twickenham Stadium May 2012
Image: Murrayfield Autumn 2017
Image: Millennium Stadium RWC2015