MY TEAM

I’m honoured to play for both Munster and Ireland. With over 70 Munster caps, I currently captain my province in the Pro 14 League and in the European Rugby Champions Cup. I have over 30 caps for Ireland now and am fortunate to be a part of a unique squad of players with an outstanding management team. In 2017 I was honoured to be selected to represent the British and Irish Lions and also captained the side.

MY LIONS HIGHLIGHTS

I was extremely honoured and privileged to be picked for the British and Irish Lions. Being selected as captain was hugely special, not just for me but for all the clubs, players and family that have put their effort into me. The whole experience was incredible, I learnt a huge amount about myself and other players from different countries throughout the tour. It was a great bunch of lads and I have made friends for life. It was one experience that I will never forget and will strive to be on the next tour.

MY IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS

I’m immensely proud to have captained my country at Under-18, Under-20 and Senior level. I made my full Senior international debut for Ireland in the 2012 Six Nations Championship. My first Senior Ireland jersey is signed by the squad, framed and hangs proudly on the wall at home. In that same year, I was named the IRUPA Young Player of the Year. 

Within a year of earning my first Senior cap, I’d played in all three back row positions for Ireland against some of the best Northern and Southern hemisphere teams. After the 2013 Six Nations, I was honoured to be named as Ireland Captain for the Summer tour to North America where we beat the US and Canada. 

In 2014, we were crowned the Six Nations Champions after our 20-22 away win against France. The 2015 Six Nations was also a close call, but thankfully we came out on top again. It was the first time Ireland had won the trophy back-to-back since 1948. It was a big moment for us as a team. To have such huge support from the Irish fans really helped and it was great to celebrate the dramatic finish together in Murrayfield.  

MY MUNSTER HIGHLIGHTS

I'm Munster born and bred. It's my province and my home.  

I made my first Munster ‘A’ cap in 2010, and I remember my Dad driving from Cork to Belfast to be there for it – even though I was only on the bench! But if there was any chance of me getting on - he wanted to be there. Thankfully, I’ve started a lot more games since then.

In 2011, in my European Cup debut for Munster, I won Man-of-the-Match against Northampton. I then went on to be voted 2011 Young Player of the Year and captained Munster for the first time later that year. In 2013, I was greatly honoured to be given the responsibility to take over the Munster Captaincy from the great Paul O’Connell.

I grew up wanting to play for Munster and I still look forward to every training session, every match and every minute playing in the red jersey. The Munster fans are amongst the most passionate supporters of any team you will find, in any sport, the world over. We represent all of those people, and the great Munster players that have gone before us, each time we pull on the Munster jersey.

We have a proud history in Munster and I look forward to trying to add to that history in the years ahead...