The Ireland Wolfhounds (also known as Ireland A and Ireland B) are the second national rugby union team of Ireland, behind the Ireland national team. They previously competed in the Churchill Cup together with the England Saxons, the national teams of Canada and the United States, as well as a selection of other nations' 1st, 2nd and 3rd representative sides (including Scotland A and the New Zealand Māori). They also played against other Six Nations countries' A sides during the Six Nations. They have intermittently played touring sides, namely South Africa in 2000, the All Blacks in 2001 and Australia in 2006. On the 21 June 2009, Ireland A won their first Churchill Cup, beating the England Saxons 49–22 in the final. They also won the Churchill Plate three times in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Initially named Ireland B, the side was redesignated to Ireland A from the 1992–1993 season.[1] They were once again renamed the Ireland Wolfhounds in January 2010.[2] This name was inspired by a nomadic invitational side, which competed between 1956 and 1987 against other club sides throughout Ireland.[3] The Wolfhounds have not competed in a competition since the IRFU declined to compete in the 2016 Tbilisi Cup.[4] Ireland A played their first match in over seven years against the All Blacks XV in November 2022 at the RDS losing 19–47.[5][6]
 | |||
| Union | Irish Rugby Football Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Emblem(s) | the Shamrock | ||
| Ground(s) | Donnybrook Stadium Ravenhill Stadium Galway Sportsgrounds Thomond Park Musgrave Park | ||
| Coach(es) | Andy Farrell | ||
| Captain(s) | Craig Casey | ||
| |||
| First match | |||
Ireland XV  3–4  France(26 January 1946) | |||
| Largest win | |||
Ireland XV 60–3  Scotland A(01 March 2002) | |||
| Largest defeat | |||
| Ireland XV 7–67 Scotland A (22 February 2008) | |||
Squad
editThe Ireland Wolfhounds 23-man match day squad which was selected to play All Blacks XV on 4 November 2022 included:[7]
Results
edit|
Home sides are listed first. 1940sedit
1970sedit
1980sedit
1990sedit
|
2000sedit
2010sedit
2020sedit
|
Home record
edit| Ireland A Home Record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facility | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | % Won |
| Donnybrook Stadium | 19 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 63.16% |
| Galway Sportsground | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% |
| Lansdowne Road | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40% |
| Musgrave Park | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% |
| Ravenhill Stadium | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 50% |
| RDS Arena | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% |
| Tallaght Stadium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Thomond Park | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60% |
| Total | 48 | 27 | 0 | 21 | 56.25% |
Above is the Ireland Wolfhound's home record in each stadium. Up to date as of 4 November 2022.
Statistics
editOverall
edit| Against | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | % Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 12 | +15 | 100.00% |
| Argentina Jaguars |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 8 | +56 | 100.00% |
 Australia A |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 24 | –7 | 0% |
| Bay of Plenty (New Zealand) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 52 | –13 | 0% |
 Canada |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 70 | +49 | 100% |
 England Saxons |
28 | 10 | 0 | 18 | 530 | 668 | –138 | 35.71% |
 Fiji |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | +53 | 100% |
| France |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | –1 | 0% |
| France A |
11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 205 | 295 | –90 | 36.36% |
 Georgia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 5 | +35 | 100% |
 Italy A |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 259 | 52 | +207 | 100% |
| King Country (New Zealand) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 32 | –6 | 0% |
| New Zealand Academy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 74 | –59 | 0% |
  Māori |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 118 | –80 | 0% |
| New Zealand XV |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 43 | –13 | 0% |
| All Blacks XV |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 47 | –28 | 0% |
| Northland (New Zealand) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 69 | –53 | 0% |
 Samoa |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 48 | 75 | –27 | 50% |
| Scotland A |
23 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 468 | 474 | –6 | 47.83% |
 South Africa |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 50 | —31 | 0.00% |
| South Africa A |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 25 | +3 | 100% |
| South Africa XV |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 11 | +17 | 100.00% |
| Thames Valley (New Zealand University) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 12 | +26 | 100% |
 Tonga XV |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 19 | +29 | 100% |
 United States |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 29 | +77 | 100% |
 Wales A |
10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 240 | 263 | –23 | 30% |
| Total | 107 | 50 | 3 | 54 | 2523 | 2521 | –8 | 46.73% |
The above is a list of the Ireland Wolfhounds' head-to-head record against international first and second sides, non-national representative sides such as the New Zealand Māori, as well as some club sides. Up to date as of 4 November 2022
Honours
edit- Six Nations A Championship
- Winners: 1 (2002)[46]
- Six Nations A Triple Crown
- Winners: 2 (2000, 2002)[44]
- Churchill Cup
- Winners: 1 (2009)
- Churchill Plate
- Melrose Sevens
- Winners: 1 (1991)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "IRELAND A AND B INTERNATIONALS:TEAMS AND RESULTS". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Result: Llanelli 12 Ulster 12". Irish Rugby Football Union. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- ^ "Wolfhounds To Return To Irish Rugby". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ O'Sullivan, John (4 January 2018). "Rugby statistics: Ireland opportunity yet to knock for Tom Farrell". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A will play against an All Blacks XV in November at the RDS". the42. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Ireland A battered, bruised and outclassed by a dominant All Blacks Development XV". Irish Times. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "AS IT HAPPENED: IRELAND A V ALL BLACKS XV". the42. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Ireland XV v France". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
- ^ "Official programme for the match at Cardiff Arms Park, 9th March 1946".
- ^ a b c d e f "Ireland A and B results". Irish Times. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Irish Rugby Archive". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland XV tour in Canada/United States of America 1989 1989". espnscrum. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "IRELAND XV TOUR - New York, 9 September 1989, 16:00 local, 20:00 GMT". espnscrum. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Team History Archive". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Team History Archive". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Team History Archive". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Brutal defeat reflects rugby's cultural divide". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Rugby Union: Tigers sign Fijians". Independent. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Plenty to Ponder as Irish Lose with Style". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Older and Wiser Side Gains its First Win". Older and wiser side gains its first win. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Tourists get taste for the half baked". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Hope restored as Irish stem black tide". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "Samoans witness start of Irish rugby revolution". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "IRELAND A TOUR - Apia, 14 June 1997". espnscrum. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Thomas inspires Welsh win". Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Team History Archive". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "A team out of their depth". Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Team History Archive". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "England Saxons v Ireland A - Six Nations "A" Rugby International". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland v Scotland - Six Nations A Rugby Championship". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland's late salvo sinks stubborn Italians". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "France v Ireland - Six Nations A Rugby Championship". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland v Wales - Six Nations A Rugby Championship". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Farrell's majestic play lands the crown". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A v South Africa A - "A" Rugby International Friendly". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Convincing win erases some bitter memories". Irish Times. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Italy 'A' 16-68 Ireland 'A'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "A-plus French far too good for Ireland". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Irish Development XV beat Samoa". RTE. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "All Blacks too strong for Ireland A". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Wales A Go Down To Record Six Nations Defeat In Cork". WRU. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland 'A' victorious". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "England A v Ireland A - "A" Rugby International". Sportsfile. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Ireland A claim Triple Crown". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland 'A' on try spree". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ a b "No Grand Slam for the A team". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "O'Sullivan backs 'A' series". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A lose to French". RTE. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "McHugh kicks England into touch A International". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Possibles make a strong case for stepping up a level". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Brave Irish effort falls just short". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Heads-up Irish show real quality". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "CHURCHILL CUP , Pool A - Santa Clara, 3 June 2006, 14:00 local, 21:00 GMT". espnscrum. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Maori deny Ireland place in Churchill final". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "McCormack earns win for Ireland A". Irish Times. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "IRELAND 'A' 17 AUSTRALIA 'A' 24". Ulster Rugby. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "IRELAND A 5 V 32 ENGLAND SAXONS". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 39-20 Canada". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "NZ Maori 50-22 Ireland A". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 22-21 Scotland A". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "England Saxons 31-13 Ireland A". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Scotland A 67-7 Ireland A". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 46-9 USA". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 12-34 England Saxons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A sign off on winning note". Irish Times. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Late cancellation hits A encounter". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 35-10 Scotland A". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 30-19 Canada". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 40-5 Georgia". RTE. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 49-22 England Saxons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland A 48-19 Tonga". 13 November 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2017 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Ireland A 31-0 Argentina Jaguars". RTE. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Saxons edge out Ireland 'A'". espnscrum. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland Wolfhounds 34-19 Scotland A". RTE. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Determined Wolfhounds too strong for Scotland". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Scots tame Irish Wolfhounds". espnscrum. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Wolfhounds 20-11 England Saxons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "England Saxons 23-17 Irish Wolfhounds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland XV 53-0 Fiji". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Ireland Wolfhounds 10-14 England Saxons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "'A' International: England Saxons 8-14 Ireland Wolfhounds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "O'Brien provides highlight in tame Wolfhounds defeat". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Sam Burgess makes winning start for England Saxons at Irish Wolfhounds". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
