Addressing Match Official Abuse
A reminder to all clubs and schools on the letter sent earlier this month, from Colin McEntee Director of Rugby Development on Match Official Abuse.
Please review the IRFU’s latest guidance regarding match official abuse, issued in November 2024.
Have you made a Nomination yet – IRFU ‘Service To Rugby’ Awards As Part Of 150 Season
To celebrate and acknowledge those who have made a significant contribution to the development of the game in Ireland, a special recognition award will be presented to 100 Volunteers (up to 25 per province) in April 2025 as part of the IRFU’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
• Close of nominations on 15th February
• Winners notified by 31st March
• Presentation of Medals at Energia AIL finals on 27th April
IRFU Calling on Clubs to Sign up to 2025 Canterbury Give it a Try Programme
The IRFU are formally seeking applications from rugby Clubs to participate in the Canterbury ‘Give It A Try’ programme for 2025.
The IRFU, in association with Canterbury, are delighted to run the Canterbury Give It A Try programme again in May/June 2025, and applications are now open.
Women in Rugby online Information Night – Coaching the Female Player
The next online Women in Rugby Network session this season will take place on Tuesday 11th February and will look at Coaching the Female Player. We will be joined by Katie Fitzhenry, Women’s National Talent Identification Manager, and Larissa Muldoon, Provincial Talent Coach for Connacht Rugby, for a conversation about the female pathway and coaching curriculum, essentially, what should we coach and how should we be coaching the female player.
This information night will consist of panel discussions, followed by breakout rooms, where you will have a chance to meet and share ideas with other coaches, we will also hear from club coaches about how they have put a female pathway into a sustainable structure in their club.
Ireland Club International XV
Ahead of their match against Portugal ‘A’ in Lisbon, the Ireland Club XV training squad (sponsored by Energia) has been announced.
Ireland Club XV head coach Adam Craig has selected a 37-strong training squad, made up of players representing 14 clubs from three divisions of the All-Ireland League.
Positive Behaviours a Continuing Focus for Domestic Game in Year Two of Tackle Height Adaptation Trial
Following an extensive consultation process with all levels of stakeholders in Irish Rugby that began in January 2023, the decision was taken to accept World Rugby’s offer to enter into a global trial for two seasons, with the aim of collecting data on the impact of lowering the legal tackle height in the domestic game.
As we reach the midpoint of season two in our Tackle Height Adaptation Trial it is important we continue our efforts as part of our domestic game to promote positive behaviours in contact and remind our players of their responsibilities in both tackling and ball carrying to ensure our game is as safe as it can be.
Read more on the preliminary findings of Season One of the Tackle Height Adaption Trail.
2025 Student Sport Ireland/IRFU Rugby Cup Launch and Draw
The launch and draws for the 2025 Student Sport Ireland/Irish Rugby Football Union Men’s and Women’s 3rd level senior rugby cup competitions was held in January in Aviva Stadium.
This year 46 college and university rugby teams will participate in six cup competitions coordinated by Student Sport Ireland (SSI) and the IRFU.
Womens Six Nations Tickets – Group Offers
Group offers are available for both Women’s Six Nations games, to all Irish Rugby Affiliated Clubs and Schools.
Kingspan Stadium: Tickets, priced from just £10 for adults and £5 for juniors are available to purchase here. Affiliated Clubs and Schools can avail of a special group booking rate of 20% off groups of 10 or more.
Requests for group bookings should be sent via the club/school secretary to tickets@ulsterrugby.com.
Virgin Media Park: Tickets, priced from €10-€20 for adults and €5-€10 for juniors, with family tickets also available to purchase here.
Affiliated Clubs and Schools can avail of a special group booking rate.
Watch Highlights of Energia AIL
Highlights of the Energia Women’s and Men’s Division 1 games will be available to watch each week on our Youtube channel.
New Instagram Page – Irish Rugby Grassroots
The IRFU have created a new instagram page for the grassroots game.
Be sure your club follows, tags and collaborates on posts, to help amplify the club game.
Streaming Platform irishRugby+
IrishRugby+ is the new streaming platform and will stream selected games for free from both the Men’s and Women’s Energia AIL.
IrishRugby+ will also provide links to additional Club streams that are made available to them on a weekly basis, in an effort to promote and publicise as many games as possible.
You can access games for free by registering on IrishRugby+.
