A brief history of the Ireland Rugby World Cup team

Posted by World Wide Tickets And Hospitality on December 21st, 2022

A brief history of Ireland Rugby, there are few more adoring than the Irish, which is why Dublin is such a tough place for global teams to get a conquest. A whole population behind a side is hard to stop. But it wasn't always this approach. Rugby union in Ireland was born in the noble clubs of Dublin and Cork in the early 1800s. The Rugby World Cup games were seen as a quest for the higher classes, to keep them fit and energetic between polo games and hunting trips.

Rugby World Cup fans from all over the world can book France Rugby World Cup tickets from our online platforms WorldWideTicketsandHospitality.com. Rugby fans can book Ireland Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The first Irish global game took place in 1875 against England. It was a closely fought match, but the Ireland RWC team went down 5-0. The popularity of the game gradually grew, however, and by the early 1900s, there were flourishing club sights in Belfast, Dublin and Cork. The real turning point for rugby union in Ireland came with the advent of expertise. Up until 1995, rugby union had continued as an amateur sport.

History of the Ireland Rugby troupes was now able to make an existence from playing rugby so many more brilliant players started coming through. Within a couple of years’ rugby union became one of the most general sports in Ireland, with average attendance at club games increasing. Nowadays all Irish provinces have full-time teams and the Ireland Rugby World Cup team is ranked number 4th in the world.

Ireland's national rugby union team at the Rugby World Cups

The Ireland national rugby union team have played all eight RWC tournaments. They have played in the quarter-finals at two contests, but have yet to headway to the semi-finals. They have ended at the top of their pool two times. Ireland has never played any South Africa or England in a Rugby World Cup match. Ireland has competed at every event since the competition was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987.

After a loss to the Wales team, Ireland's national side finished second in their pool in 1987 but was then knocked out by the Australian side in their quarter-final in Sydney. In 1991 Ireland again lost only one match in pool play to Scotland. They again met the Australians in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, who beat them by one point.

History of the Ireland Rugby, runner-up in their pool in 1995 to New Zealand, Ireland was crushed by France Rugby World Cup in their quarter-final in Durban. Ireland finished second in their pool in 1999, behind Australia and went into the quarter-final play-offs a scheme exclusive to the 1999 RWC.

There they lost to Argentina, and thus, not being quarter-finalists, they were not given automatic entry into the 2003 Rugby World Cup. They defeated Russia and Georgia to go through the 2003 World Cup as Europe 1. They finished second to Australia in their pool and were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.

2007 Rugby World Cup group of death for Ireland national rugby union team

They started in the so-called "Group of death" with hosts France, Argentina, Namibia and Georgia in the 2007 RWC. They played Namibia the lowest-classified team in the World cup in their inaugural game on 9 September which caused a narrow 32–17 win. Their growth was then put into doubt when they tired Georgia 14–10, not gaining a bonus point. France's triumph over Namibia 87–10 put Ireland's advance from the group in hesitation.

This was compounded when the French crushed Ireland by 25–3. History of the Ireland Rugby, entering their last pool match against the Argentina side, needing four stabs to secure a bonus point without allowing Argentina anything, the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad were defeated by 30 points to 15 and crashed out at the group stage for the first time. Ireland began their 2011 RWC campaign on the back of four overthrows in a series of warm-up tests in August.

With a 22–10 win over the United States in New Plymouth on 11 September. Failing to lock a bonus point against Rugby World Cup minnows the United States, a team graded far below Ireland, this was an unimpressive win. Conflicting with the preceding form, and indeed beating most analysts’ expectations. Ireland bent a notable performance to defeat governing tri-nations champions Australia 15–6 in their second group game in Eden Park in Auckland on 17 September. This was the first Irish win against tri-nations opposition in the southern hemisphere in 32 years.

History of the Ireland journey during the 2011 -2019 Rugby World Cup

It was also Ireland's first-ever win against Australia in the RWC. After comprehensive wins against Russia and Italy in the final two pool-stage games, Ireland's national rugby team topped group C. This was the first ever time Ireland side came first in a world cup group. Ireland progressive to the quarter-finals to face Wales in Wellington. History of the Ireland Rugby, they were def22–10 by the Welsh, thus ending their 2011 RWC campaign.

Ireland surpassed Pool D of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with four triumphs and with two bonus points. They beat Canada and Romania national teams with bonus points in their first two games. Ireland then faced Italy, coming out on top 16–9, the only try coming from Keith Earls who exceeded Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's leading RWC try scorer with eight. The final group game saw Ireland face the France squad.

The champion would set up a quarter-final against Argentina and dodge the All Blacks. Ireland overcame the loss to injury of important players Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Paul O'Connell to run out 24–9 conquerors. The conquest set up another game for Ireland in the Millennium Stadium against group C runners-up Argentina on 18 October 2015. History of the Ireland Rugby World Cup team brief history battled and came back from a 17-point shortfall to come within 3 points of their rivals, but finally lost 43–20.

At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Ireland started with a 27–3 win against Scotland on 22 September before losing to Japan a week later 19–12 in the Shizuoka Stadium. Victories over Russia by 35-0 and Samoa by 47-5 set up a quarter-final alongside New Zealand on 19 October. 

Early years for the Ireland Rugby World Cup team

Dublin University was the first planned rugby football club in Ireland, having been founded in 1854. The club was controlled by students who had learnt the game while at English public schools. During the third quarter of the nineteenth century, and following the acceptance of a set of official rules in 1868. Rugby football began to spread quickly throughout Ireland, resulting in the formation of several other clubs.

Many are still in presence, including NIFC 1868, Wanderers 1869, Queen's University 1869, Lansdowne 1873, Dungannon 1873, Co. Carlow 1873, UCC 1874, and Ballinasloe 1875. which combined with Athlone to form the Buccaneers. In 1874, history of Ireland Rugby, the Irish Football Union re-formed as the Irish Rugby Football Union after a merger with the North of Ireland Union. This union dealt with all RWC-related points.

History of Ireland, the Irish Football Union was designed by Dublin university football club, Wanderers, Engineers, Lansdowne Football Club, Bray, Portora, Dungannon RFC and Monaghan. Ireland Rugby World Cup lost their first experiment match against England 7–0 at the Oval on 15 February 1875. Both sides fielded 20 players in this game. As was customary in the early years of rugby union; it was not until 1877 that the number of players was compacted from 20 to 15.

Brief history, Ireland's first home game was also against England in the same year held at the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines as Lansdowne Road was thought unfitting. History of the Ireland team, the first match at Lansdowne Road was held on 11 March 1878, with England thrashing Ireland RWC by 2 goals and 1 try to nil. It was not until 1881 that Ireland first won a test, beating Scotland at Ormeau in Belfast.

A few crises face by Ireland Rugby World Cup sides

Ireland turned up two men short for their match in Cardiff in 1884 and had to use two Welsh players. The first victory Ireland had at Lansdowne Road took place on 5 February 1887. It was also their first victory over England, by two goals to zero. On the third of March 1888, Ireland noted their first win over Wales with a goal, a try and a drop goal to zero. In 1894, the History of Ireland followed the Welsh ideal of using seven backs as an alternative to six for the first time.

After its conquest over England at Blackheath, the Ireland Rugby World Cup side won back-to-back games for the first time. Recording their first success over Scotland on 24 February 1894. Ireland went on to shatter Wales in Belfast and gain the Triple Crown honour for the first time. In the 1890s, Rugby was mostly a game for the Protestant middle class, the only Catholic in Edmund Forrest's 1894 squad was Thomas Crean.

Of the eighteen players used in the three matches, thirteen were from three Dublin clubs. Wanderers, Dublin University and Bective Rangers and the remaining five players are from Ulster. They went on to win the Home global championship twice more before the old period was out in 1896 and 1899 so that by 1901 all four of the Home Unions had tasted success at a game that was growing in popularity with players and spectators.

Worldwide Tickets and Hospitality offers Rugby World Cup tickets for the France Rugby World Cup at the best prices. Rugby fans can buy Rugby World Cup Final Tickets at exclusively discounted prices.

Ireland Rugby World Cup status

History of Ireland, such was the level of interest in the visit of the first All Blacks team to Dublin in November 1905 that the IRFU made the game the first all-ticket rugby global in history. Ireland played only seven forwards, lifting the New Zealand method of playing a "rover". The game finished at New Zealand 15 Ireland 0. On 20 March 1909, Ireland played France side for the first time, beating them 19–8. This was Ireland's major victory in global rugby at that time.

Their highest points count and a record five attempts. 30 November 1912 was the first time South Africa encountered Ireland. the 1906 trip game has been played at Raven hill. Ireland with seven new players was stunned by a record margin of 38–0. Still the best loss to South Africa who counted 10 tries. In 1926, Ireland's RWC side went into their final five-nations game unbeaten and with the Grand Slam at stake misplaced to Wales in Swansea.

The skilled era of Ireland's national rugby union team

History of the Ireland Rugby at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Ireland was in a group having the All Blacks and Wales. In a close game in Johannesburg, Ireland went through 24–23 against Wales to make their third successive quarter-final entrance. Unfortunately, France proved too strong, with Ireland going down 36–12. The start of the expert era was poor for Ireland who finished bottom in the five nations championship three years in succession 1996, 1997 and 1998.

They lost to Italy thrice, at home by 29-37 and away by 22-12 and 37-22. Englishman Brian Ashton was head trainer between 1997 and 1998. But after a sequence of unsatisfactory results resigned barely 12 months into the six-year agreement he had been presented by the IRFU. Warren Gatland took over as trainer in 1998. But was unable to produce instant achievement. 1999 was the first time Ireland failed to reach the last eight at a Rugby World Cup.

History of Ireland, the 1999 RWC was played in Wales though Ireland played all their pool games in Dublin. A defeat by the Wallabies in pool play meant Ireland had to go down the play-off route. Playing away from Lansdowne Road for the first time in the tournament. Ireland was crushed 28–24 by Argentina in Lens. In 2005 Ireland was measured slight favourite arriving at the Six Nations Championships.

History of Ireland, they won their first three matches, including a 19–13 defeat to England in Dublin. However, Ireland's vision of their first Grand Slam since 1948 ended with a 26–19 home loss to France. In the final round, Wales defeated Ireland 32–20 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam. Ireland ended in 3rd place.

Ireland Rugby World Cup team era 2006 to 2009

In 2006, Ireland showed the ability to play top-class rugby, but only contradictorily a rout of Wales was stable by uncertain victories against England, Scotland and Italy and a complete defeat by winners France. Ireland finished second and won the triple crown honour for the second time in three years, incidentally the first ever time a cup had been presented for the feat. They then boarded their annual trip to the southern hemisphere.

There they ran New Zealand close twice before a tired Ireland RWC team was punched by the Wallabies in Perth. In the last Autumn Internationals at Lansdowne Road, Ireland beat the South African experimental side 32–15. Next was Australia, with Ireland posting a 21–6 victory to propel Ireland to a best-ever summit of 3rd in the IRB World Positions. In the final global match at Lansdowne, Ireland hit the Pacific Islanders 61–17.

RWC 2023: Ireland national rugby union team era 2010–2013

Ireland began the 2010 Six Nations with a home game counter to Italy, winning 29–11. Their second game was away to France with the Ireland Rugby World Cup team trailing 33–10. Next Ireland was away to England. Ireland arose victoriously, a Tommy Bowe try and Ronan O'Gara alteration winning the game 16–20. Next Ireland was back at Croke Park against Wales. Ireland were winners, beating Wales 27–12 after a Man-of-the-Match presentation from Tomas O'Leary.

Ireland's final game of the Six Nations, and the last-ever game at Croke Park, was against Scotland. Ireland went into the game with a 5th Triple Crown on the way but lost to Scotland 20–23. Ireland began their 2010 summer trials with a non-cap friendly against the Barbarians, which they lost 23–29. Their next match saw them take on New Zealand. Following a Jamie Heaslip red card with 15 minutes played, Ireland was beaten 66–28, their substantial ever defeat at the time. Ireland's succeeding game was against New Zealand Maori. The side fetched many inexpert RWC players. The game was level at 18–18 at half-time, but the Maori won 31–28. Ireland's last game of the Summer Tests was against Australia which they lost 22–15.

The 2013 six nations contest began for Ireland with a journey to Wales, where Ireland, had their first win against Wales since 2010. Ireland lost their other game, at home to England, 6-12, the first time they have lost at home to England in 10 years. Scotland beat Ireland 12–8 in Round 3 of the competition. Ireland drew 13–13 with France in Round 4, the second successive draw between the sides.

Andy Farrell era of Ireland Rugby World Cup side

2020 saw Ireland´s first six-nations campaign under previous defence coach Andy Farrell. who replaced Joe Schmidt after the RWC 2019, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the disruption, Ireland jagged wins against Scotland 19–12 and Wales 24–14 before losing against England 12–24. Ireland´s fourth-round game against Italy was late until October that year. with the Irish tape a 50–17 win, going on to a 27–35 defeat against France to finish in 3rd place.

In the succeeding autumn nations cup. Ireland again beat Wales by 32–9 and Scotland by 31–16 and then was crushed once again by England, 7–18. Although a relaxed win on the display 23–10 was criticized for a professed lack of spirit or tactical ingenuity. Ireland finished 2020 with their position unchanged, at 5th in the RWC world ranking. The 2021 Six Nations took place again amidst the ongoing pandemic, with spectators still excluded.

Ireland would have an indifferent campaign. once again final 3rd with wins over Italy, Scotland and England. After trailing their opening two games to France (13–15) and eventual winners Wales (16–21). Ireland played most of the game against Wales down to 14 men. When expert flanker Peter O'Mahony, the first Irish player to be red-carded in a Six Nations game.

Ireland Rugby World Cup 2023 Fixtures

History of Ireland, after losing the opening test game of the 2022 New Zealand tour. Ireland counted their first victory against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil on 9 July 2022. Their fourth win over New Zealand. They followed up their important win with their first victory over the Maori All Blacks in four attempts. Beating the side 24–30 in Wellington.

Ireland is in group B with France Rugby World Cup alongside the South Africa national rugby union team. Scotland national rugby union team, Tonga national rugby union team and Romania national rugby union team. Ireland will begin their RWC 2023 campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on Saturday 9th September.

We offer Rugby World Cup Tickets admirers can get France Rugby World Cup Tickets through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Worldwide tickets and hospitality are the most reliable source to book Rugby World Cup tickets. Sign up for the latest Ticket alert.

Like it? Share it!


World Wide Tickets And Hospitality

About the Author

World Wide Tickets And Hospitality
Joined: May 22nd, 2021
Articles Posted: 4,310

More by this author