Ireland is a country that lives to the rhythm of the rugby seasons: Limerick is also the country’s spiritual capital. Widely played on the island, the Irish team is renowned for its beautiful game, endurance and respect for sporting values. (There’s no fairer team!).
The Irish team is nicknamed the Shamrock team, the latter being its official symbol. The clover seems to bring good luck to this team, which has won the 5/6 nations tournament 18 times, including one grand slam. The results are more mixed for the World Cup, which never got beyond the ¼ finals…
As for colors, if you’re a fan, the Irish jersey is green with a shamrock over the heart. Add white shorts and green socks, and you’ll be wearing the colors of the Irish rugby team! There is also a 2nd official white jersey, worn on certain occasions.
The Greens usually play at Lansdowne Road (Dublin), but due to renovation work, Croke Park (Dublin) has become their replacement stadium. (This was originally reserved for Gaelic sports, administered by the GAA, and is kindly on loan to the rugby team, despite the sport’s British origins).
Ireland’s Call, written in 1995 by Phil Coulter, is the country’s national anthem. When matches take place in Dublin, 2 anthems are played: Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song), the Irish anthem, and Ireland’s Call. Abroad, only Ireland’s Call is played before matches.
In terms of popularity, the annual VI Nations tournament attracts the most spectators. Created in 1883, the tournament initially pitted Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland against each other, but it was only later that France and Italy were admitted.
Out of 107 tournaments played, Ireland has won 18 and England 35 (aggregate of single and shared victories). When a team wins every match in the tournament, it is known as a “Grand Slam”.
The tournament includes several trophies:
The wooden spoon is an anti-trophy as it is awarded to the team that has not won a match in the tournament.
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