IRFU: Irish Rugby Football Union & Irish Club Rugby

About the Business

About Irish Rugby Football Union

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the governing body for rugby union across the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland. Based in Dublin, it runs the Ireland national teams and the four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster, which play in the United Rugby Championship.

The Ireland Rugby Football Union, properly the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), governs rugby union in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It oversees about 200 Irish rugby clubs through four branches, and the top 50 play in the All-Ireland League. Irish club rugby feeds the four professional provinces.

The IRFU was founded in 1879 and governs rugby on an all-island basis, so Irish rugby union teams from both Ireland and Northern Ireland play for one national side. Irish club rugby is organised through four provincial branches: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.

What They Offer

Irish Rugby Football Union Services

Irish club rugby sits below the provinces. The top amateur clubs play in the Energia All-Ireland League, and the other Irish rugby clubs play in provincial leagues run by each branch. Clubs in Northern Ireland come under the Ulster Branch. For rugby union in Ireland at club level, start with the IRFU’s official website or see rugby leagues in the UK.

The UK Rugby Club Directory lists the IRFU alongside the other governing bodies of the home nations: the RFU, WRU, Scottish Rugby and RFL.

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For clubs in Northern Ireland, which come under the IRFU's Ulster Branch, see our list of rugby union clubs and filter by Northern Ireland.

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Get in Touch

Contact Irish Rugby Football Union

Want to work with Irish Rugby Football Union? The quickest route is through their official channels, where you can ask about products, services and pricing.

If you run Irish Rugby Football Union, you can also claim this listing. That way you can add your phone number, email address and logo for free.

Contact Details

Irish Rugby Football Union
Dublin, County Dublin
Website: irishrugby.ie
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Quick Answers

Irish Rugby Football Union FAQs

Where is Irish Rugby Football Union based?

The IRFU is based on Lansdowne Road in Dublin, the home of the Aviva Stadium. Use the map link on this page for directions.

What does Irish Rugby Football Union offer?

It is the governing body for rugby union across the island of Ireland, running the national teams, the four provinces and Irish club rugby, including the All-Ireland League.

How do I contact Irish Rugby Football Union?

Visit the IRFU's official website, irishrugby.ie, using the link above. For a club near you, contact the provincial branch.

How many rugby clubs are there in Ireland?

There are about 200 rugby clubs in Ireland affiliated to the IRFU across its four branches. Leinster has the most and Connacht the fewest. Fifty of them play in the five divisions of the All-Ireland League.

What are the Irish rugby union teams?

At the top are the Ireland national teams and the four professional provinces, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster, which play in the United Rugby Championship. Below them, Irish rugby clubs play in the All-Ireland League and provincial leagues.

How is IRFU club rugby organised?

IRFU club rugby has the Energia All-Ireland League at the top, with five divisions. Below that, each provincial branch runs its own leagues and cups. Clubs in Northern Ireland are part of the Ulster Branch.

Who runs Irish club rugby and rugby union in Ireland?

The IRFU runs rugby union in Ireland, from the national team to Irish club rugby. Day-to-day club competitions are organised by the four provincial branches, and the All-Ireland League is the top club competition.

Is it the Ireland Rugby Football Union or the Irish Rugby Football Union?

The official name is the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), though people often search for the Ireland Rugby Football Union. It covers Irish rugby clubs north and south of the border.

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