A Christmas Message From The President Of The Irish Rugby Football Union

I am delighted to wish all participants and followers of Irish rugby a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous, safe and peaceful New Year.

At this halfway point of the 2019-’20 season we look forward with great excitement to what the second half holds across the big and busy fixtures calendars at all levels of our game.

To that end I extend my Festive greetings to my fellow Union members and to all players and volunteers who form the backbone of our game, working in union with our professional staffs at Provincial Branch and IRFU levels.

As we bid adieu to retired Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and wish his successor Andy Farrell and his management team every success for the Guinness Six Nations, Ireland’s summer tour to Australia and their Autumn home clashes against World champions South Africa, Australia and Japan; we also hope the New Year brings good fortune to our Ireland women for their Six Nations challenge; our Grand Slam defending Under 20s champions; our provincial clubs in the Heineken Champions Cup and Guinness Pro 14 championship, to our men’s and women’s Sevens squads and, of course, to all those involved across the club and grass roots landscapes.

In my role as President I enjoyed immensely my travels during the first half of the season attending functions and matches and in the New Year I look forward to visiting many more clubs and games.

On that note I wish you all a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year with the hope that all your rugby wishes for 2020 are duly fulfilled.

Nicky Comyn
President of the Irish Rugby Football Union