# IQ Rugby
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{{Short description|Rugby union player pathway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname = Irish Exiles
| image =
| union = [Irish Rugby Football Union](/source/Irish_Rugby_Football_Union)
| founded = 1989
| league = [IRFU Interprovincial Championship](/source/IRFU_Interprovincial_Championship)
| url = https://iqrugby.com
}}
'''IQ Rugby''' is a programme within the [Irish Rugby Football Union](/source/Irish_Rugby_Football_Union) (IRFU) to support [rugby union](/source/rugby_union) players within the [Irish diaspora](/source/Irish_diaspora), especially [in Great Britain](/source/Irish_migration_to_Great_Britain).[{{cite web |title=Irish Rugby TV: David Nucifora And Joe Lydon On IQ Rugby |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2017/05/13/irish-rugby-tv-david-nucifora-and-joe-lydon-on-iq-rugby/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=13 May 2017}}] The name ''IQ'' stands for "Irish Qualified", meaning qualified under [international rugby union eligibility rules](/source/international_rugby_union_eligibility_rules) to play for Ireland teams, including the [men's](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team), [women's](/source/Ireland_women's_national_rugby_union_team), [men's sevens](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_sevens_team), and [women's sevens](/source/Ireland_women's_national_rugby_sevens_team).[{{cite web |title=IQ Rugby Registration |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/iqrugby/iq-register/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025}}]
In the 1990s, an Irish Exiles representative team played in the [IRFU Interprovincial Championship](/source/IRFU_Interprovincial_Championship) against the four domestic provincial selections ([Ulster](/source/Ulster_Rugby), [Leinster](/source/Leinster_Rugby), [Munster](/source/Munster_Rugby) and [Connacht](/source/Connacht_Rugby)). This ended after [professionalisation](/source/Introduction_of_professionalism_in_rugby_union), when the four domestic provinces became full-time professional teams rather than selections from amateur club sides. Exiles teams at underage level continued to play against the provinces and others into the 2010s;[{{multi ref|
{{cite news |title=Sports Round-Up; Rugby; Under 19 Interprovincials |url=https://epaper.irishtimes.com/titles/irishtimes/5088/publications/15501/pages/34 |access-date=2 December 2025 |work=The Irish Times |date=13 September 2010 |page=11 Sports}}|
{{cite press release |title=Exiles Announce Age Grade Fixtures |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2010/08/19/exiles-announce-age-grade-fixtures-2/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=19 August 2010}}|
{{cite press release |title=Exiles Age Grade Update |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2012/09/14/exiles-age-grade-update/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=14 September 2012}}|
{{cite press release |title=Combined Universities To Face Exiles |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2014/02/18/combined-universities-to-face-exiles/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=18 February 2014}}|
}}] an under-19 IQ Rugby Team tours Ireland annually playing under-19 provincial teams.[{{cite press release |title=Provincial Tour Provides 'Important Opportunity' For IQ Rugby Squad |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/07/20/provincial-tour-provides-important-opportunity-for-iq-rugby-squad/ |website=Irish Rugby |access-date=2 December 2025 |date=20 July 2025 }}]
==History==
===Early years===
The Irish Exiles organisation was originally established as an IRFU [subcommittee](/source/subcommittee) by [Tom Kiernan](/source/Tom_Kiernan) in 1989 following a meeting in London. The aim of the Irish Exiles was to give [Irish diaspora](/source/Irish_diaspora) players wishing to represent the [Ireland national rugby union team](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team) the opportunity to play for a representative team. The Irish Exiles subsequently became a formal sub-committee of the [Irish Rugby Football Union](/source/Irish_Rugby_Football_Union). Kiernan became the first chairman of the Exiles organisation. His successors included [Barry O'Driscoll](/source/Barry_O'Driscoll). The Exiles would eventually become a full branch of the IRFU.[{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/gathering-shamrock-on-foreign-fields-how-irfu-have-become-proactive-about-unearthing-irelandqualified-players-36155796.html|title=Gathering shamrock on foreign fields – How IRFU have become proactive about unearthing Ireland-qualified players|work=The Irish Independent|access-date=6 August 2018|date=21 September 2017}}]
In addition to establishing a senior representative team, the Exiles also established under 21 and student teams. During their first two seasons the Exiles played friendlies against [Ulster](/source/Ulster_Rugby) at [Ravenhill](/source/Ravenhill_Stadium) and a [Welsh Exiles XV](/source/Welsh_Rugby_Union). The first senior XV coach was [Ken Kennedy](/source/Ken_Kennedy_(rugby_union)). An under 21/student team also played the [Ireland U21s](/source/Ireland_national_under-20_rugby_union_team) at the [London Irish](/source/London_Irish) ground in [Sunbury-on-Thames](/source/Sunbury-on-Thames).
During the 1992–93 season an Irish Exiles XV also played an away friendly against the [Basque Country national rugby union team](/source/Basque_Country_national_rugby_union_team).[{{cite web|url=http://www.euskadirugby.org/ficherosfijos/historial_selecciones.pdf|title=Historial Selecciones Euskadi|publisher=euskadirugby.org|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410041026/http://www.euskadirugby.org/ficherosfijos/historial_selecciones.pdf|url-status=dead}}]
===IRFU Interprovincial Championship===
Between 1992 and 1993 and 1995–96 the Irish Exiles entered the [IRFU Interprovincial Championship](/source/IRFU_Interprovincial_Championship).[{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_116.htm |publisher=irishrugby.ie |title=Irish Rugby 1874–1999 – A History: Interprovincial Championship Results page 442 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071622/http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_116.htm |url-status=dead }}][{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_117.htm |publisher=irishrugby.ie |title=Irish Rugby 1874–1999 – A History: Interprovincial Championship Results page 443 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084006/http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_117.htm |url-status=dead }}][{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_118.htm |publisher=irishrugby.ie |title=Irish Rugby 1874–1999 – A History: Interprovincial Championship Results page 444 |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085534/http://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_118.htm |url-status=dead }}] Before this [Irish diaspora](/source/Irish_diaspora) players, including [Jim Staples](/source/Jim_Staples), [Simon Geoghegan](/source/Simon_Geoghegan) and [John O'Driscoll](/source/John_O'Driscoll_(rugby_union)) were usually invited to represent [Connacht](/source/Connacht_Rugby) in the championship.[{{cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/best-10-connacht-players-ever-play-ireland-244894|title=The 10 Best Connacht Players Ever To Play For Ireland|publisher=balls.ie|access-date=31 January 2018|date=16 February 2016}}]
Staples and Geoghegan subsequently represented the Exiles and O'Driscoll coached the team. Other [Ireland](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team) internationals to represent the Exiles in the championship included [David Curtis](/source/David_Curtis_(rugby_union)), [Gary Halpin](/source/Gary_Halpin) and [Rob Saunders](/source/Rob_Saunders). [Mat Keenan](/source/Mat_Keenan), a [Western Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_union_team) international also played for the Exiles in the competition.[{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/provincial/exiles/history.php |title=A Short History of the Exiles |publisher=IRFU |access-date=6 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128131427/http://www.irishrugby.ie/provincial/exiles/history.php|archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=dead}}]
==Interprovincial Championship Record (1992–1996)==
{| class = "wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Against
! Played†
! Won
! Drawn
! Lost
! % Won
! For
! Aga
! Diff
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Connacht}} [Connacht](/source/Connacht_Rugby) || 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:4/4*100 round 2}}% || 121 || 55 || +66
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Leinster}} [Leinster](/source/Leinster_Rugby) || 4 || 0 || 0 || 4 || {{#expr:0/4*100 round 2}}%|| 66 || 91 || –25
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Munster}} [Munster](/source/Munster_Rugby) || 4 || 1 || 0 || 3 || {{#expr:1/4*100 round 2}}%|| 60 || 113 || –53
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| {{flagicon|Ulster}} [Ulster](/source/Ulster_Rugby) || 4 || 0 || 0 || 4 || {{#expr:0/4*100 round 2}}%|| 35 || 108 || –73
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total || 16 || 5 || 0 || 11 || {{#expr:5/16*100 round 2}}%|| 282 || 367 || –85
|}
''†Matches were played as part of the [Irish Interprovincial Rugby Championship](/source/Irish_Interprovincial_Rugby_Championship).''[Table based results in the Irish rugby team history archive https://www.irishrugby.ie/irfu/history/archived-team-history/]
''Correct as of 9 February 2021.''
==Academy==
The Irish Exiles operates as a scouting and recruitment programme for [Irish diaspora](/source/Irish_diaspora) players interested in playing for the [Ireland national rugby union team](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team), the [Ireland women's national rugby union team](/source/Ireland_women's_national_rugby_union_team), the [Ireland national rugby sevens team](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_sevens_team) and the [Ireland women's national rugby sevens team](/source/Ireland_women's_national_rugby_sevens_team).[{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/provincial/exiles/index.php|title=About the Exiles|publisher=irishrugby.ie|access-date=8 August 2018}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1508165/|title=Leinster v Irish Exiles – U18 Clubs Interprovincial Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=19 August 2015}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1608158/|title=Leinster v Exiles – U18 Clubs Friendly Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=25 August 2016}}] In addition to producing nearly thirty Ireland men's internationals, the Exiles programme has also produced three [British and Irish Lions](/source/British_and_Irish_Lions) – [Simon Easterby](/source/Simon_Easterby), [Rob Henderson](/source/Rob_Henderson) and [Nick Popplewell](/source/Nick_Popplewell). A number of Irish Exiles players have "slipped through the net" and have subsequently gone on to play for the [England national rugby union team](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team). These include [Kieran Brookes](/source/Kieran_Brookes), [Paul Doran-Jones](/source/Paul_Doran-Jones) and [Shane Geraghty](/source/Shane_Geraghty).[{{cite web|url=https://murraykinsella.wordpress.com/tag/george-mcguigan/|title=Ireland's Fifth Province|publisher=murraykinsella.wordpress.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=14 June 2013}}] Recent graduates of the programme include [Rhys Ruddock](/source/Rhys_Ruddock) and [Kieran Marmion](/source/Kieran_Marmion).[{{cite web|url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/irfu-exiles-screening-day/|title=IRFU Exiles Screening Day|publisher=leinsterrugby.ie|access-date=8 August 2018|date=4 October 2016}}]
==Women's team==
The Irish Exiles also field a [women's rugby union](/source/women's_rugby_union) team. A number of prominent members of the [Ireland women's national rugby union team](/source/Ireland_women's_national_rugby_union_team) have progressed through the Exiles programme. These include [Sophie Spence](/source/Sophie_Spence) and [Claire Molloy](/source/Claire_Molloy), [Kerrie-Ann Craddock](/source/Kerrie-Ann_Craddock), [Leigh Dargan](/source/Leigh_Dargan)[{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/m/eng/news/24750.php|title=Ireland announce strong squad|publisher=wru.co.uk|access-date=26 February 2018|date=30 January 2013}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/mobile/en/news/17488.php |title=Correction: Ireland Women's Team to Play England|publisher=sixnationsrugby.com|access-date=26 February 2018|date=8 February 2013}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1211195/|title=Leinster Women v Exiles – Challenge Match Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=23 November 2012}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1311461/|title=Leinster v Exiles – Women's Interprovincial Rugby Friendly Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=22 November 2013}}]
==Notable Current & former players==
;{{flagicon|British and Irish Lions}} [British and Irish Lions](/source/British_and_Irish_Lions)
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Finlay Bealham](/source/Finlay_Bealham)
* [Tom Court](/source/Tom_Court)
* [Simon Easterby](/source/Simon_Easterby)
* [Mack Hansen](/source/Mack_Hansen)
* [Rob Henderson](/source/Rob_Henderson)
* [Andy Mulligan](/source/Andy_Mulligan_(rugby_union))
* [Nick Popplewell](/source/Nick_Popplewell)
||
|}
;{{ru|Ireland}} internationals
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Finlay Bealham](/source/Finlay_Bealham)
* [Michael Bent](/source/Michael_Bent)
* [Justin Bishop](/source/Justin_Bishop_(rugby_union))
* [Shayne Bolton](/source/Shayne_Bolton)
* [Isaac Boss](/source/Isaac_Boss)
* [Paul Burke](/source/Paul_Burke_(rugby_union%2C_born_1973))
* [Billy Burns](/source/Billy_Burns_(rugby_union))
* [Kieran Campbell](/source/Kieran_Campbell)
* [Tom Court](/source/Tom_Court)
* [David Curtis](/source/David_Curtis_(rugby_union))
* [Guy Easterby](/source/Guy_Easterby)
* [Simon Easterby](/source/Simon_Easterby)
* [David Erskine](/source/David_Erskine_(rugby_union))
* [Declan Fitzpatrick](/source/Declan_Fitzpatrick)
||
* [Justin Fitzpatrick](/source/Justin_Fitzpatrick)
* [Simon Geoghegan](/source/Simon_Geoghegan)
* [Mike Haley](/source/Mike_Haley_(rugby_union))
* [Gary Halpin](/source/Gary_Halpin)
* [Mack Hansen](/source/Mack_Hansen)
* [Rob Henderson](/source/Rob_Henderson)
* [Rob Herring](/source/Rob_Herring_(rugby_union))
* [Kevin Maggs](/source/Kevin_Maggs)
* [Kieran Marmion](/source/Kieran_Marmion)
* Simon Mason
* [Sean McCahill](/source/Sean_McCahill)
* [Mike McCarthy](/source/Mike_McCarthy_(rugby_union))
* [Matt Mostyn](/source/Matt_Mostyn)
||
* [Andy Mulligan](/source/Andy_Mulligan_(rugby_union))
* [Mike Mullins](/source/Mike_Mullins_(rugby_union))
* [Ross Nesdale](/source/Ross_Nesdale)
* [Dion O'Cuinneagain](/source/Dion_O'Cuinneagain)
* [Dylan O'Grady](/source/Dylan_O'Grady)
* [Nick Popplewell](/source/Nick_Popplewell)
* [Sean Reidy](/source/Sean_Reidy)
* [Rhys Ruddock](/source/Rhys_Ruddock)
* [Rob Saunders](/source/Rob_Saunders)
* [Chris Saverimutto](/source/Chris_Saverimutto)
* [Jim Staples](/source/Jim_Staples)
* [Kieran Treadwell](/source/Kieran_Treadwell)
* [Dan Tuohy](/source/Dan_Tuohy)
|}
; {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} [Ireland A / XV / Wolfhounds](/source/Ireland_Wolfhounds) internationals
* [Sam Crean](/source/Sam_Crean)
* [Adrian Flavin](/source/Adrian_Flavin)
* [Antoine Frisch](/source/Antoine_Frisch)
* [Sean Jansen](/source/Sean_Jansen)
* [Dan Kelly](/source/Dan_Kelly_(rugby_union))
* [Andi Kyriacou](/source/Andi_Kyriacou)
* [Liam Mooney](/source/Liam_Mooney)
* [Ed O'Donoghue](/source/Ed_O'Donoghue)
* [Byron Ralston](/source/Byron_Ralston)
; {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} [Emerging Ireland](/source/Emerging_Ireland) internationals
* [Chay Mullins](/source/Chay_Mullins)
;{{ruu|20|IRE}} U20s Internationals
* [Rynard Gordon](/source/Ulster_Rugby)
* [Wilhelm de Klerk](/source/Wilhelm_de_Klerk)
* [Lorcan McLoughlin](/source/Lorcan_McLoughlin_(rugby_union))
* [Josh Neill](/source/Leinster_Rugby)
* [Paddy Woods](/source/Ulster_Rugby)
;{{ru7|IRE}} sevens internationals
* Richard Briggs
* Mark Bruce
* [Kieran Campbell](/source/Kieran_Campbell)
* [Harry McNulty](/source/Harry_McNulty)
* [Bryan Mollen](/source/Bryan_Mollen)
* [Chay Mullins](/source/Chay_Mullins)
* [Aaron O'Sullivan](/source/Aaron_O'Sullivan)
* Jon Skurr
;{{ruw|Ireland}} women internationals
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Lynne Cantwell](/source/Lynne_Cantwell)
* [Hannah Casey](/source/Hannah_Casey)
* [Kerrie-Ann Craddock](/source/Kerrie-Ann_Craddock)
* Leigh Dargan
* Lauren Day
* Sarah Mimnagh
||
* [Claire Molloy](/source/Claire_Molloy)
* [Larissa Muldoon](/source/Larissa_Muldoon)
* [Jackie Shiels](/source/Jackie_Shiels)
* [Sophie Spence](/source/Sophie_Spence)
* Megan Williams
|}
;{{ru7w|IRE}} women sevens internationals
* [Sophie Spence](/source/Sophie_Spence)
;{{ru|England}} internationals
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Kieran Brookes](/source/Kieran_Brookes)
* [Paul Doran-Jones](/source/Paul_Doran-Jones)
* [Shane Geraghty](/source/Shane_Geraghty)
; {{flagicon|England}} [England Saxons](/source/England_Saxons)
* [Declan Danaher](/source/Declan_Danaher)
* [George McGuigan](/source/George_McGuigan)
|}
;{{ru|France}} international
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Antoine Frisch](/source/Antoine_Frisch)
|}
;{{ru|Samoa|name=Western Samoa}} international
{|
|- style="vertical-align:top"
||
* [Mat Keenan](/source/Mat_Keenan)
|}
{{small|'''Source''':[{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/m/eng/news/24750.php|title=Ireland announce strong squad|publisher=wru.co.uk|access-date=26 February 2018|date=30 January 2013}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/mobile/en/news/17488.php |title=Correction: Ireland Women's Team to Play England|publisher=sixnationsrugby.com|access-date=26 February 2018|date=8 February 2013}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1211195/|title=Leinster Women v Exiles – Challenge Match Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=23 November 2012}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1311461/|title=Leinster v Exiles – Women's Interprovincial Rugby Friendly Photos|publisher=sportsfile.com|access-date=8 August 2018|date=22 November 2013}}] }}
==Notable former coaches==
* [Ken Kennedy](/source/Ken_Kennedy_(rugby_union))
* [John O'Driscoll](/source/John_O'Driscoll_(rugby_union))
{{small|'''Source''':