Irish rugby has been on top of the world in recent years and boasts a successful history. Here are the most famous Irish rugby players of all time.

Over the last number of years, the Irish men’s rugby team have established themselves as perhaps the best team in the world. They previously ranked number one in the world, are currently second behind South Africa, and are also the reigning Grand Slam champions.
Unsurprisingly, Irish rugby has an illustrious history and has developed some of the most respected and revered players across the rugby world.
So, we have decided to narrow it down to some players you may know very well! Read on to discover our take on the top ten most famous Irish rugby players of all time.
- Irish rugby has been on top of the world in recent years and boasts a successful history. Here are the most famous Irish rugby players of all time.
- Interesting facts about Irish rugby:
- 10. Willie John McBride – a true leader
- 9. Tom Kiernan – one of the most famous Irish rugby players
- 8. Rory Best – the captain who ushered in a successful era
- 7. Mike Gibson – Hall of Fame Irish rugby player
- 6. Jackie Kyle – leading to the first-ever Grand Slam win
- 5. Keith Wood – once the World Rugby Player of the Year
- 4. Paul O’Connell – a titan of Irish rugby
- 3. Ronan O’Gara – the outstanding Irish kicker
- 2. Johnny Sexton – Ireland’s top scorer
- 1. Brian O’Driscoll – one of the best rugby players of all time
- Notable mentions
- Your questions answered about the most famous Irish rugby players
Interesting facts about Irish rugby:
- The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the Irish rugby governing body, and it was founded in 1874.
- Top-level rugby in Ireland is divided into four provincial teams: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup.
- The Irish rugby men’s team have won a total of five Six Nations championships, four Grand Slams, and seven Triple Crowns.
- The Irish Rugby headquarters can be found in the modern masterpiece of the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
10. Willie John McBride – a true leader
Kicking off our list of the most famous Irish rugby players is Willie John McBride. McBride played as a lock for Ireland and captained the side to a Five Nations title in 1974.
McBride was well-known for his leadership and commitment. He played 63 times for Ireland and played 17 test matches for the illustrious Lions team.
9. Tom Kiernan – one of the most famous Irish rugby players
Tom Kiernan earns the title of one of the greatest Irish, and indeed rugby, full-backs as he won an incredible 52 consecutive victories, 24 of which were as captain.
The so-called ‘Grey Fox’ kicked points in a historic victory over South Africa in 1965 and earned a total of 54 caps for Ireland.
8. Rory Best – the captain who ushered in a successful era
Eighth on the list of the most famous Irish rugby players is Ireland and Ulster stalwart Rory Best. Best became Ireland captain in 2015, which rolled in some of Ireland’s most successful periods.
He captained the side for their first-ever win over the mighty All Blacks, and won four Six Nations, two Grand Slams, and four Triple Crown titles.
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7. Mike Gibson – Hall of Fame Irish rugby player
Gibson played for Ireland for 15 years, earning 69 caps and scoring a superb 112 points during this period.
Another inducted into both the IRB and International Rugby Hall of Fame, he also played for the Lions and is undoubtedly one of the most famous Irish rugby players.
6. Jackie Kyle – leading to the first-ever Grand Slam win
Perhaps the standing of Kyle’s fame and respect can be gleaned from the fact that the IRFU has honoured him as the greatest player in Irish rugby history, a phenomenal feat.
He helped Ireland win their first-ever Grand Slam and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is an Irish great.
5. Keith Wood – once the World Rugby Player of the Year
Kicking off our top five most famous Irish rugby players is the iconic Keith Wood, who enjoys incredible respect and standing within Irish and World Rugby.
He is widely regarded as one of the best hookers of all time. He played in three Rugby World Cups and two Lions tours and also won the World Rugby Player of the Year.
4. Paul O’Connell – a titan of Irish rugby

Paul O’Connell played 108 times for Ireland, making him the seventh most-capped player. He captained Ireland 28 times, including winning back-to-back Six Nations in 2014 and 2015.
O’Connell also captained Munster during periods of success and was captain of the British & Irish Lions, a true measure of the man.
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3. Ronan O’Gara – the outstanding Irish kicker
There may not be enough words to describe Ronan O’Gara, the outstanding Irish kicker who racked up an incredible 1,083 points over 128 appearances, the second most in Irish history.
O’Gara is one of the best rugby players of all time, winning a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009. He also played in three Lions tours and won two Heineken Cups with Munster.
2. Johnny Sexton – Ireland’s top scorer
It is no mean feat to overtake O’Gara in the scoring charts, but Johnny Sexton did so. In 118 caps, Sexton scored 1,108 points. Sexton captained Ireland in his final years as a player, including two Grand Slams.
He won the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018 and remained among the elite players in World Rugby until his retirement after the 2023 World Cup.
1. Brian O’Driscoll – one of the best rugby players of all time

Brian O’Driscoll, or ‘BOD’, is probably the best Irish rugby player of all time and takes our top spot on the list of the most famous Irish rugby players. Anyone choosing a rugby 15 would likely pick O’Driscoll at centre.
He is Ireland’s most-capped player (133) and top try scorer (46). He captained Ireland between 2003 and 2012 and has scored the most tries in Six Nations and Heineken Cup history. A litany of achievements has been left out of this article, highlighting the quality of the man.
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Notable mentions
Peter O’Mahony: O’Mahony is now the Irish captain and has been a standout leader for the past decade. His stock will only rise.
Jamie Heaslip: Heaslip is one of the top number eights to play the game in recent times, and he earned a total of 95 caps for Ireland.
Mike Gibson: One of the most famous Irish rugby players of all time. He was inducted into both the IRB Hall of Fame and the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
Your questions answered about the most famous Irish rugby players
If you still have questions, read on! In this section, we answer some frequently asked questions on this topic by our readers and from online searches.
Who is the greatest ever Irish rugby player?
Brian O’Driscoll is widely regarded as the greatest-ever Irish rugby player. However, others may cite Sexton or O’Gara.
Who is the legendary Irish rugby player?
Legendary Irish rugby players include Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, and Paul O’Connell in recent years. Going back, the likes of Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson are considered legends.
Who is the best Irish rugby player currently?
With the retirement of Johnny Sexton, the best Irish rugby players include Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Hugo Keenan.
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