The National Team
The Ireland national team are considered by the IRB to be in the first tier.
Ireland contest the Millennium Trophy with England as part of the Six Nations Championship.
Every four years the British and Irish Lions go on tour with players from Ireland as well as England, Scotland and Wales.
As with all top-tier rugby nations, and many lower-tier countries, Ireland also field an "A" national side, a second-level national selection primarily intended to develop younger talent for possible future duty on the senior national team. Since February 2010, the IRFU have rebranded the A side as Ireland Wolfhounds. The Wolfhounds generally play "A" teams of the other major European powers and senior sides of lower-tier nations.
Read more about this topic: Rugby Union In Ireland
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