List of Irish rugby players playing in top leagues overseas

The IRFU have done well to limit the amount of players leaving the provinces for pastures new, so we have a list of  Irish rugby players playing in top leagues overseas and how they might fare this year. 

James Downey is part of a very rare bunch of players who have departed Ireland but still play in the PRO12. He left Munster for Scotland a few weeks ago and the once-capped international is likely to feature heavily in Glasgow’s backline this season. Expect Downey and his new team to make a charge for the league final again.

He is joined in Scotland by experienced prop John Andress, who arrives at Edinburgh from recently relegated Worcester Warriors. Former Ulsterman Andress has also played for Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins, and while Edinburgh may not do so well in the league this season, the tighthead will be a predominant part of the pack.

Another Irish prop to possibly feature in the PRO12 this season is Belfast-born Dave Young. Young has signed for Newport Gwent Dragons but having only played a handful of games for former clubs including Leicester Tigers and Jersey, don’t expect the 29-year-old to be around the first team.

Over to England now and Ireland legend Peter Stringer has signed a one-year extension at Bath. The 36-year-old doesn’t have a lot of competition for the number nine jersey so chances are he’ll be the first name on the team sheet all season.

Another Irish player in the West Country is Gloucester wing Shane Monahan. Featuring on a regular basis and with 13 tries in 30 games, expect the former under-20s international to be among the top Gloucester try scorers by the end of the year.

There are three Irishmen currently playing at Exeter Chiefs: Gareth Steenson, centre Ian Whittenand new lock signing Ryan Caldwell. Whitten and Caldwell should be fairly familiar names to Irish rugby fans, both having played for Ulster and both being capped twice for the national team. Along with utility back Steenson, all three players will probably feature heavily for Exeter this season.

Niall Morris is another Irishman who will get a lot of game time for his team, Leicester Tigers. The winger/fullback and former Blackrock College man is a bit of a crowd favourite and with Tigers likely to be pushing for the Premiership title this season, Morris could have a bit of silverware to his name.

London Irish struggled last season but have recruited well with players including Tom Court andEoin Griffin. Griffin could well feature in the centres alongside Eamonn Sheridan, with established international Tomas O’Leary likely to be the starting nine, while Court will be battling for the tighthead berth with Jamie Hagan. Expect youngsters Conor Gilsenan and Fergus Mulchrone to either be sent out on loan or spend time with the A-team.

London Welsh have also recruited a couple of Irishmen in the form of Shane Cahill and James Sandford, both from Cornish Pirates. They join scrum-half Paul Rowley but looking at the Welsh squad, it’s near impossible to see if any of the three will get any game time. Chances are they’ll be back in the Championship next season.

The only other Irishman playing in the Premiership is Saracens lock Eoin Sheriff. While Sheriff definitely has the ability to challenge for the title with Saracens, he faces stiff competition from seasoned internationals who play in his position. Will partly feature from the bench this year.

In France, former Clontarf scrumhalf James Hart is a regular starter for Grenoble and will be looking to cement his team’s place in the TOP14. The 23-year-old has impressed since moving to France in 2011 and if he has another successful season, don’t be surprised if he ends up on one of the province’s books.

Another player looking to keep his club away from a relegation battle this season is Oyonnax’sDamian Browne. The experienced lock is well known in Ireland having played for both Connacht and Leinster, as well as Northampton Saints and Brive, and the French club will be hoping that this experience will stand them in good stead.

Last but definitely not least, Ireland’s most famous non-provincial international Jonny Sexton will be hoping that his second season at Racing Metro is better than the last one. After an indifferent start, both Sexton and Racing got better as last season went on and ended up finishing the league at the semi-final stage. Will surely be in the hunt for the TOP14 title this year with Sexton being one of the league’s better performers.

Who do you think will provide the biggest impact for their club this year?

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28743941

List of Irish rugby players playing in top leagues overseas