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Vakh Abdaladze

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Vakh Abdaladze (born Kutaisi, Georgia, 6 February 1996) plays tighthead prop for Leinster (2017-present).

His father, Nick, played number 8 for Georgia. The family moved to Blanchardstown, Dublin, when Vakh was 5. He joined Coolmine RFC, where his father coached, at 12.[1] He moved to Clontarf F.C., where he was converted from centre to prop.[2] He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, and was part of the team that beat the New Zealand U-20s for the first time ever at the tournament.[2] After leaving school, he studied at Dublin City University while part of the Leinster sub-academy. He was admitted to the Leinster academy in the middle of the 2017–18 season, and within weeks made his debut for the senior team. He was awarded his first senior contract ahead of the 2018–19 season.[3] He is part of the Leinster squad for the 2021-22 season.[4]

Will Addison

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Main article: Will Addison

Thomas Ahern

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Thomas Ahern (born 22 February 2000) is an Irish rugby union player for United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup side Munster. He plays as a lock and represents Shannon in the All-Ireland League.

Born in Ardmore, County Waterford, Ahern's parents were from Cork GAA families and Ahern initially favoured those sports, but when a cousin's friend dropped out of a summer rugby camp being held just across the border in Youghal, Ahern stepped in and ended up playing with Youghal RFC for five years, until moving to Dungarvan RFC aged 14, which was closer to Ahern's school. In his sixth year of school, Ahern moved to Waterpark RFC and into the second row, having previously played as a fullback, and by this stage he was on the Munster pathway too, having linked up with the East Munster cadets and then progressing to the Munster under-17s squad and onto Munster under-18s and Ireland Schools.[5]

He attended St Augustine's College and represented Munster and Ireland at under-18 clubs level, winning an inter-provincial title with the former during the 2017–18 season.[6] He is currently studying food science and health at the University of Limerick.[7]

Ahern joined the Munster academy ahead of the 2018–19 season.[8] Due to a number of players being away for the 2019 Rugby World Cup with Ireland, Ahern and the other academy players spent their pre-season training for the 2019–20 season with the remaining senior players, with Ahern pointing in particular to the influence veteran lock Billy Holland had on his development.[7] Ahern made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their 2020–21 Pro14 round 4 fixture against Welsh side Dragons on 1 November 2020, coming on as a 61st minute replacement for Jean Kleyn in Munster's 28–16 away win.[9] He made his first start and scored his first try for Munster in their 52–3 win against Italian side Zebre on 30 November 2020.[10] Ahern was Man-of-the-Match for Munster in their 31–17 win against Italian side Benetton in round 16 of the 2020–21 Pro14 on 19 March 2021. He joined the senior squad on a two-year contract from the 2021–22 season.[11]

Ahern earned one cap and scored two tries for Ireland under-18 clubs against Portugal under-18s in November 2017,[12] and won two caps for Ireland under-19s in their capped friendlies against France under-19s in April 2019.[13][14] One month later, Ahern was selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, his first call up at that level internationally.[15] He made his under-20s debut when he started in the third pool fixture against Italy on 12 June 2019. Ireland won 38–14, though Ahern left the field injured during the first half.[16] He recovered in time to start in the 30–23 win against England on 17 June[17] and the 40–17 defeat against New Zealand in the 7th-8th place play-off on 22 June.[18]

Selected again in the under-20s squad for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, Ahern started and scored a try in the 38–26 win against Scotland on 31 January,[19] as well as starting in the 36–22 win against Wales on 7 February[20] and scoring two tries in the 39–21 away win against England on 21 February, a victory that secured the triple crown for Ireland.[21] Though the remainder of the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahern earned widespread praise for his performances.[22] Though he wasn't called up to the senior Ireland squad, Ahern was selected to train with the squad as a development player during the 2021 Autumn internationals.[23]

Michael Allen

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Michael 'Mike' Allen (born 28 November 1990) from Belfast is a retired Irish rugby union player. He played at both centre and wing during his career. Allen started his career with Irish provincial side Ulster, before signing for Scottish side Edinburgh in 2015.[24] However, after finishing with Edinburgh in 2017, Allen decided to retire from the sport at the age of 26 to focus on his family life.[25]

Allen was educated at Methodist College Belfast. He twice won the Ulster Schools' Cup, scoring several tries in the 2009 Semi-Final as the school won the cup two years running, beating Regent House in 2008 and R.B.A.I in 2009.[26]

He attended his first rugby match at only two weeks old to watch his father play for what is now Belfast Harlequins and spent his childhood at the club.[27]

Allen's mother, Corinne, is a former Northern Ireland Netball international and his sister also excelled at the sport.

Allen has represented Ulster Rugby at Under 18, Under 19 level and Academy level. He also played for the Ulster Ravens in the British and Irish Cup Semi-Final in 2010 against Munster A.

He made his Ulster first team debut against Leinster at The RDS in 2012 and was awarded with a Senior Ulster Contract in 2013.

In the 2012–13 season, Allen scored his first senior Ulster try against Cardiff Blues and was named on the bench for the Final, coming on in the 64th minute in the 24–18 defeat to Leinster.

In the 2013–14 season, Allen made his breakthrough playing Wing due to injuries to Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble, scoring a try against Connacht and two against Treviso. He has spoken about the competition he faces at wing with Bowe, Trimble and Craig Gilroy, who are all Ireland Internationals, saying "Obviously they’re three world class players but I can’t dwell on that. I have to try and make the most of the game time that I get but at the same time I recognise how tough it is. My priority is to play well enough to ensure that Mark (Anscombe, Ulster coach) has a decision to make each week.” [27]

Allen represented Ireland Schools at under-19 Level.

In 2013, Allen was selected for the Emerging Ireland squad to play at the 2013 IRB Tbilisi Cup in Georgia where he scored a try in a 19–8 defeat to South Africa President's XV.[28] Emerging Ireland beat Uruguay 42–33 on 16 June 2013 to secure a second-place finish in the tournament. At the end of the 2014 season Allen was selected for the Emerging Ireland squad which travelled to Romania.[29]

Azur Allison

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Azur Allison (born 19 April 1999) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup side Ulster. He plays as a flanker. He was educated at Ballymena Academy, captained the Ireland under-19 team in 2018, and joined the Ulster Academy ahead of the 2018–19 season.[30] He made his senior competitive debut for Ulster against Leinster in the 2018–19 Pro14 on 20 December 2019,[31] coming on as a replacement. in a 54-42 defeat.[32]

T. J. Anderson

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Thomas "T. J." Anderson (born 3 March 1987)[33] is an Irish former rugby union player who played flanker for Ulster, Connacht, and Ealing Trailfinders.

The son of former Ireland rugby international Willie Anderson, he played Gaelic football for St. Patrick's GAC Loup and rugby for the Ireland national under-20 rugby union team,[34] winning an under-20 Grand Slam in 2007.[35] He played his club rugby for Dungannon, where he was spotted by Ulster coach Matt Williams, and joined the Ulster academy ahead of the 2007–2008 season.[36] He was soon training with the senior squad, and put his law degree on hold to sign a development contract ahead of the 2008–09 season.[37]

Having captained the Ulster Ravens in the British and Irish Cup and made 18 appearances for the senior team in the Celtic League, he signed for Connacht ahead of the 2011-12 season.[35] After playing for Connacht for two seasons,[38] he joined Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2013-14 season, and was named the team's vice-captain.[39] He played there for one season[38] before injuries forced him to retire. He went on to become Operations Director at JW Anderson, the fashion label run by his brother Jonathan.[40]

John Andress

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John Andress (born 20 January 1984) is an Irish former rugby union player. He played as a prop. During his career, Andress played for English sides Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and Worcester Warriors and Scottish side Edinburgh. He returned to Ireland in 2016 to play for Munster, retiring due to a lack of game time in December of that year, but shortly after he came out of retirement to play for an injury-stricken Connacht. After this stint with the western province, Andress retired from professional rugby again.

He attended Campbell College, Belfast.

Andress, who has played for Ireland at both A and Under-21 level, originally joined Exeter Chiefs in 2007 and made 44 appearances before moving to Harlequins in 2009. He returned to Exeter in 2011 and impressed as the Chiefs enjoyed another strong campaign, finishing fifth in the Aviva Premiership. Andress then joined another Aviva Premiership team, Worcester Warriors, in 2012, before moving to Scottish Pro12 side Edinburgh Rugby in 2014.[41]

In March 2016, it was announced that Andress would be joining Edinburgh's Pro12 rivals, Irish province Munster, for the 2016–17 season.[42] He announced his retirement from rugby union in December 2016, having not played for Munster in his time there.[43] Later that month however Andress joined another Irish province, Connacht, as temporary injury covery.[44][45]

John Andrew

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John Andrew (born 6 May 1993) is an Irish professional rugby union player who currently plays for Ulster as a hooker.

Born in Ballymena,[46] he was part of the Ballymena Academy team that won the Ulster Schools' Cup in 2010.[47] He represented Ireland at under-19 level, and was part of the Ireland squad for the 2013 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[48] making one start and four appearances from the bench.[49] He came through the Ulster academy system, made his first senior appearance for the province in a friendly against Exeter in August 2014, and signed a development contract in March 2015,[50] and a full senior contract in April 2017.[51] He made his first competitive senior appearance against Ospreys in September 2015,[46] Primarily a backup to Rory Best, and later Rob Herring,[52] he had a strong season in 2020–21,[53] making more appearances than usual and scoring seven tries.[54] He signed a contract extension in January 2021.[55]

Stephen Archer

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Main article: Stephen Archer

Sammy Arnold

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Main article: Sammy Arnold

Jack Aungier

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Jack Aungier (born 20 November 1998) is an Irish rugby union player who currently plays for Connacht Rugby. He plays as a prop.

Aungier attended St. Fintan's High School and participated in the Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup with the school.[56] At the age of just 16, Aungier made his debut for the Ireland under-18s team.[57]

Whilst still in Leinster's academy, Aungier was selected on the bench for their round 5 2019–20 Pro14 fixture against Welsh side Dragons on 1 November 2019,[58] and he replaced Michael Bent in the 52nd minute in the provinces 50–15 win.[59]

In May of 2020, it was reported that Aungier would be joining Connacht Rugby during the then postponed 2019/2020 Pro14 season. [60] He made his debut for Connacht against Ulster during the resumed Pro14 season on the 23rd of August 2020, scoring the final try of a bonus point victory for the province. [61]

References

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  1. ^ "Early starts and competitive edge helping Abdaladze to achieve his goals". Leinsterrugby.ie. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b [1] [dead link]
  3. ^ "Senior Players - Leinster Rugby". Leinsterrugby.ie. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. ^ [https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/player?PlayGuid=VA700295 Leinster Rugby profile 2021-22
  5. ^ "'I can't wait to learn off RG Snyman... It's like man against boys in some of the clips'". The42. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Video | Introducing The Academy – Thomas Ahern". Munster Rugby. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b "U20 lock Ahern grateful for Holland influence aiding his rapid rise". The42. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Report | Munster Make It Four From Four Against Dragons". Munster Rugby. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Report | Eight-Try Munster Continue Winning Start". Munster Rugby. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Player Signing, Contract Extensions & Academy Promotions". Munster Rugby. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Ireland Under-18s Begin International Season With Eight-Try Win". Irish Rugby. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  13. ^ "Hernan Strikes Late As Ireland Under-19s End France's Unbeaten Season". Irish Rugby. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Ireland U-19s Beaten In Bastia As Easter Series Is Drawn". Irish Rugby. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Ireland U-20 Squad Confirmed Ahead of Departure to Argentina". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Ireland Under-20s Bounce Back With Bonus Point Win Over Italy". Irish Rugby. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Ireland Under-20s Leak Last-Minute Try In Titanic Tussle With England". Irish Rugby. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Brilliant Baird Try Is Ireland U-20s' Highlight In Play-Off Defeat". Irish Rugby. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Six-Try Triumph Gets Ireland Under-20s Off To Encouraging Start". Irish Rugby. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Four-Try First Half Does The Damage For Ireland Under-20s". Irish Rugby. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  21. ^ "McCann And Ahern Lead Ireland Under-20s To Six-Try Victory". Irish Rugby. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Thomas Ahern | Hungry For More Special Moments In Green". Munster Rugby. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  23. ^ "10 Munster Players In Ireland Squad". Munster Rugby. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-02-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ^ "Former Ulster winger puts family before rugby as he retires at just 26". Belfast Telegraph. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Methody cruise it". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  27. ^ a b "Michael Allen winging his way into Ulster reckoning - Rugby News | Rugby Results, Fixtures & Tables | The Irish Times - Wed, Oct 30, 2013". The Irish Times. 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  28. ^ "EMERGING IRELAND SUFFER TBILISI DEFEAT". Archived from the original on January 15, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  29. ^ "SECOND PLACE FINISH FOR EMERGING IRELAND". Archived from the original on January 15, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  30. ^ "Irish-qualified Bristol back Hughes among new additions to Ulster academy", The42, 25 July 2018
  31. ^ "Who are the four players set for Ulster debuts at Leinster? All you need to know about Jack Regan, Azur Allison, Stewart Moore and Ethan McIlroy". Belfast Telegraph. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  32. ^ "Leinster 54 Ulster 42", Ulster Rugby, 20 December 2019
  33. ^ "Magners League 09-10", News Letter, 4 September 2009
  34. ^ PJ Browne, "Best of 2021: My son played GAA and Rugby. He Met People from all Aspects of Northern Ireland", Balls.ie, 27 December 2021
  35. ^ a b "Connacht sign Anderson from Ulster", The Irish Times, 7 March 2011
  36. ^ "Anderson poised to sign contract", Belfast Telegraph, 14 August 2008
  37. ^ Gavin Mairs, "'It's like having your own personal coach by your side'", Belfast Telegraph, 8 October 2008
  38. ^ a b Thomas Anderson appearance stats at It'sRugby.com
  39. ^ "TJ raring to go ahead of big kick off", Ealing Trailfinders, 12 September 2013
  40. ^ Jonathan Bradley, "Thomas Anderson on swapping Ulster Rugby for the world of high-end fashion: ‘It was sink or swim’", Belfast Telegraph, 23 August 2021
  41. ^ "Edinburgh sign Worcester prop John Andress". BBC Sport. 22 May 2014.
  42. ^ "Squad & Contract Update". munsterrugby.ie. 29 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Andress To Call It A Day" (Press release). Munster Rugby. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  44. ^ "Former Irish international added to the Connacht coaching ticket for the remainder of the season". The42. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017. Lam said that they were looking at a number of options, including prop John Andress, who announced his retirement from the game just a few weeks ago having not played for Munster since joining them during the summer.
  45. ^ "Injury-ravaged Connacht make 4 changes ahead of meeting with table toppers Munster". The42. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017. New recruit John Andress is named on the bench after the prop agreed a short-term contract, as Lam trues to manage numerous injury setbacks to his squad.
  46. ^ a b Ulster Rugby profile
  47. ^ Shaun O'Neill, "Memories are made of these!", Ballymena Guardian, 30 April 2020
  48. ^ "Under 20: Ireland Squad for Six Nations.", The Front Row Union, 29 January 2013
  49. ^ "Ireland U20: Who Did What 2013?", The Front Row Union, 25 June 2013
  50. ^ "Andrew signs new contract with Ulster Rugby", Northern Ireland World, 21 March 2015
  51. ^ "Clive Ross, Alan O'Connor, Dave Shanahan, John Andrew commit to Ulster", RTÉ Sport, 27 April 2017
  52. ^ Adam McKendry, "Ulster Rugby squad 2016/17", Belfast Live, 24 November 2016
  53. ^ "The Ulster depth chart: A World Cup winner and the thrilling back three", The42, 17 September 2021
  54. ^ *Ulster 2020-21 - Who Did What?, The Front Row Union, 12 August 2021
  55. ^ "Pro14: Ulster announce four more contract extensions", BBC Sport, 26 January 2021
  56. ^ "'I'd work in the restaurant business, my family are involved in catering'". Irish Independent. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  57. ^ "Five exciting Irish prospects to look out for in the U20 Six Nations tournament". SportsJoe. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  58. ^ "Toner To Captain As Baird & Byrne Make First Starts". Leinster Rugby. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  59. ^ "Match Report: Leinster Rugby 50 Dragons 15". Leinster Rugby. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  60. ^ "Leinster academy tighthead Aungier set to make switch to Connacht". The 42. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  61. ^ "Four-try Connacht too good for Ulster". RTE. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
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