This is some team!
The rules are simple – the best Ireland XV, with no two players from the same county.
Loosehead prop – Reggie Corrigan (Wicklow)
A proud Presentation College Bray and Greystones RFC man; Corrigan made his Ireland debut against Canada in 1997.
He also captained his country twice and led Leinster to Celtic League glory in 2001.
He won his last Ireland cap in 2006 and is currently scrum coach with Greystones.
Hooker – Keith Wood (Clare)
Being both Ireland’s greatest hooker and from a ‘non-traditional’ rugby county, Wood is a perfect fit.
The inaugural World Rugby Player of the Year, back in 2001, and one of the best ever in his position.
An inspirational leader for Garryowen, Munster, Harlequins, Ireland, and the Lions.
Tighthead prop – Tadhg Furlong (Wexford)
With nine consecutive Lions test caps, the New Ross man is a certified great of the game.
Since making the No. 3 jersey his own, nobody has come close to usurping him, and he looks primed to lead Ireland’s scrum into the next World Cup.
Lock – Moss Keane (Kerry)
A true Kerryman, having played underage Gaelic football for the Kingdom.
He won two Five Nations titles with his country, and also represented the Lions.
Lock – Tadhg Beirne (Kildare)
There is a strong argument that the Leinster reject is Ireland’s best-ever second row, ahead of Paul O’Connell.
It sounds strange and nearly inconceivable to say out loud, but when you look at the performances on the pitch for Munster, Ireland, and the Lions, it is a fair statement.
Blindside flanker – Alan Quinlan (Tipperary)
A man whose exploits provincially and at club level with Shannon far outweighed what he achieved internationally – although he did score a famous try to beat Argentina at the 2003 World Cup.
Embodied the dark arts of backrow play and the never-say-die attitude of Munster.
Openside flanker – Seán O’Brien (Carlow)
One of Tullow’s most famous sons, and for good reason.
When fit, O’Brien was a game-changing force, and produced many of the best Ireland performances of the professional era.
Scored one of the great Lions tries in 2017, which you can watch below.
Number eight – Caelan Doris (Mayo)
While the current Ireland captain may not yet have overtaken Jamie Heaslip in an all-time Ireland XV, his place in this side is a no-brainer, with Beirne taking up the Kildare slot.
You would think Doris was a south Dublin man, given his years at Blackrock College, but it is the Green and Red county from which he hails.
Has all the makings of a legend of the game.
Scrum-half – Conor Murray (Limerick)
He is arguably the best Limerick has produced, and formed a fearsome half-back partnership with Johnny Sexton.
His all-round game was phenomenal, and he had a helpful knack of scoring tries against the All Blacks.
Even in his later days he made an impact as a calming presence off the bench.
Out-half – Ronan O’Gara (Cork)
Divisive as a player, pundit, and coach, but someone who you can never take your eyes off.
Was an essential part of turning Ireland from wooden-spoon whipping boys into a world-beating force.
As clutch a player as you will ever find.
Left wing – Tommy Bowe (Monaghan)
Given his TV work and ’10 siblings’ meme fame, it is easy to forget just how good the Ulsterman was.
He was genuinely world class from 2009 to 2014, and, at times, was the second best winger in the world after Bryan Habana.
Inside centre – Mike Gibson (Antrim)
Bill McLaren is widely regarded as the finest and most iconic rugby commentator to pick up a mic.
So the Scot describing Gibson as “the most complete footballer” he ever saw is all you need to know about the Belfast man’s class.
Has the third most Lions caps with 12.
Outside centre – Brian O’Driscoll (Dublin)
The greatest to ever don the green jersey, and right up there with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as the best from his era.
He could have been world class anywhere in the backline, and even in the backrow, given his defensive and jackaling abilities.
Right wing – Shane Horgan (Meath)
The scorer of many a memorable try, etched into the memories of those who were there.
The definition of a fan favourite.
Fullback – Rob Kearney (Louth)
The commander of the skies, and owner of the backfield.
It comes as no surprise that he played minor football for his county.
