Sport in Ireland - Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Rugby union is played and supported throughout Ireland, but is especially popular in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Ulster. Rugby union is played at club, province and national levels. The Ireland national team is composed of players from both Northern Ireland and the Republic, and the Irish Rugby Football Union governs the sport throughout the island. School rugby union is generally played at primary and secondary level. Notable rugby union schools include Belvedere College, Blackrock College, Rockwell College, Castleknock College, Clongowes Wood College, The High School, St Mary's College, Dublin, Terenure College, Crescent College, Limerick, Castletroy College, Limerick, St Munchin's College, Limerick, Ardscoil Rís, Limerick, PBC Cork and CBC Cork in the south and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Methodist College Belfast in the north. Recent success at international level and the establishment of four professional teams has increased interest in rugby union as a sport in Ireland. Also, schools who would not have played the game traditionally have started to field teams in the sport increasing the player base in the country.