Irish Universities XV
| Union | Irish Universities Rugby Union, affiliated to the Irish Rugby Football Union |
|---|---|
| Emblem(s) | The Shamrock on the cross of Saint Patrick with white background |
| Ground(s) | Aviva Stadium |
| President | Derek McGrath |
| Coach(es) | Dan Van Zyl |
The Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU) is the representative body for University Rugby Union in Ireland. The Union was established in 1904 and currently consists of the following members; University College Dublin RFC, Dublin University FC, Queen's University RFC, University College Cork RFC, NUI Galway R.F.C., Maynoooth University R.F.C., University of Ulster Coleraine RFC, Dublin City University In addition University of Limerick annually compete in IURU competitions.
The mission of the Irish Universities Rugby Union and its member clubs is to make "Universities Rugby a game for everyone and a game for life".
The values of the Irish Universities Rugby Union and its member clubs are "To actively facilitate the development of the full academic, personal and sporting potential of all the members of our community in a respectful, safe and enjoyable environment".
The IURU organizes and manages the Ireland Students Representative Rugby Team which competes annually. While the Irish Universities & Students sides had played games against other Irish & English representative sides since the 1930s the first game against International opposition was played against the Scottish Universities side in 1954. In the past the predessor of the Ireland Student side the Irish Combined Universities played against all the major southern hemisphere full international touring sides, e.g. playing and beating the Springboks in 1965 in Thomond Park therefore making them the first Irish side to beat an international touring team. The Combined Universities have also played against Australia in 1968 and New Zealand in 1974. The Combined Universities have toured overseas on 4 occasions, to New Zealand in 1978, to Japan & South Korea in 1987, to South Africa in 1994 and to Australia in 1997.
Uniquely the Combined Universities team players wear their respective universities clubs socks with the green international jersey.
Since the advent of professional rugby, matches against full senior international sides have become a thing of the past, however the Irish Universities Rugby Union has continued to arrange annual international fixtures against other National University and Student sides from England, Scotland, France and Wales and against IRFU developmental sides. The most recent Ireland Student fixture was held in April 2017 against the English Students side in the Oxford University playing grounds on Iffley Road. The Irish team ably led by captain Darren Hudson fought out a thrilling 9 try, 36 all draw with the English Students.
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