The 5 Best Irish Rugby Union Players of All Time
The 5 Greatest Irish Rugby Union Players
Irish rugby has produced so many fine players over the generations that it’s difficult to pick five who might be regarded as the best, but in O’Driscoll, Wood, Gibson, McBride and Kyle, you have 5 that are right up there.
Ireland have always been a very physical team who take pride in doing the basics well.
At the scrum and the lineout, they are always a handful and have had some fine kickers. But they have also shown that they can play 15-man rugby too and have produced some exciting tries.
In recent years they have won the Six Nations Grand Slam and recorded wins over the New Zealand All Blacks in 2016 and 2018. They are currently no 4 in the world rankings.
Rugby writer Daniel Cullinane puts forward his top 5 Irish Rugby Union players of all time.
1. Brian O’Driscoll: 1999-2014
Position: Centre
Caps: 141 Ireland –133, British and Irish Lions - 8
Tries: 47, Ireland - 46, British and Irish Lions - 1
Regarded by many as the finest rugby player Ireland has ever produced. O’Driscoll captained Ireland 83 times and the Lions in New Zealand in 2005.
He was nominated as the IRB world player of the year 3 times and was Six Nations Player of the Tournament on 3 occasions.
A prolific try-scorer, he touched down 46 times and is still the top try-scorer in Irish rugby union history.
He possessed deceptive speed and ran outstanding support lines and could also finish like a world-class wing.
His ability to accelerate onto the ball into a gap in the defence was world-class and he usually finished with points on the board.
He retired in 2014 as one of Ireland’s most successful and respected players, and possibly Irelands greatest ever sports person?
2. Keith Wood: 1994-2003
Position: Hooker
Caps: Ireland - 58, British and Irish Lions - 5
Tries: 15
Keith Wood was a highly mobile forward who could roam around the field like a fourth back row.
Solid in the scrum and with a decent lineout throw he did the basics well, but he was not in the traditional front-row mould. He possessed a good turn of speed and had soft hands.
He was a physical presence, bigger than most hookers of the day.
Wood was comfortable in tight and loose play and offered another dimension to the Irish team as a ball carrier.
He represented the British and Irish Lions on the successful tour of South Africa in 1997 and the close tour of Australia in 2001. He was the start of a new breed of hooker.
3. Mike Gibson: 1964-1979
Position: Centre
Caps: Ireland - 69, British and Irish Lions - 12
Tries: 9
Mike Gibson could play in any position behind the scrum. He read the game superbly and had the knack of being in the right place at the right time.
His speed and timing enabled him to get onto the end of a scoring pass on many occasions.
He was supremely skilful and as well as playing in the centre, he played fly-half and on the wing.
Gibson toured with the British and Irish Lions 5 times including the famous series win over the New Zealand All Blacks in 1971.
Mike Gibson is considered by many to be up there with the greatest players of the game and a true legend of Irish Rugby.
4. Willie John McBride: 1962-1975
Position: Lock
Caps: Ireland - 63, British and Irish Lions - 17
Tries: 2
There are many legends in the game of Rugby Union but in terms of the British and Irish Lions, one stands out. Willie John McBride.
He gathered 63 caps, 11 as captain for Ireland and had notable wins against South Africa and Australia in their own backyard.
But he’ll always be remembered for leading the Lions on the unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974.
He was also a member of the successful touring party that won in New Zealand in 1971.
He was an inspirational leader. Tough and uncompromising on the field and always leading from the front.
An out-and-out lock, he did much of the heavy work, and scored two international tries. One for Ireland and one for the Lions. He was a true servant to Irish rugby and of course the Lions.
5. Jackie Kyle: 1947-1958
Position: Fly Half
Caps: Ireland - 46, British and Irish Lions - 6
Tries: 9 including 2 for the Lions
Jackie Kyle was an immensely talented fly-half who was part of the Irish side that won the 1948 Five Nations Grand Slam.
He was regarded as the complete player and had a limitless toolbox of tricks, and skills to unleash on the opposition.
Like the other players mentioned here, he also had a successful Lions career with a draw against the All Blacks and a win over Australia.
Sadly he passed away in 2014.
He is a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame and is regarded by many in the sport as one of the all-time greats.
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