Rugby Greats Inducted Into Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame

Rugby Player Ireland (RPI)

6th November 2026

Rugby Players Ireland welcomed Rory Best, Niamh Briggs and John Muldoon into the Heineken Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel.

Hosted by former Ireland international Darren Cave, the event brought together family, friends and former teammates to celebrate three outstanding careers ahead of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series meeting with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. Iain Henderson, Alison Miller and Michael Swift joined Cave on stage to share their memories and personal reflections on the inductees and their contributions to Irish rugby.

First presented in 2003, the Hall of Fame honours players whose achievements and influence have left a lasting mark on Irish rugby. The occasion also provided an opportunity to reconnect members of the rugby community, reflecting Rugby Players Ireland’s ongoing commitment to celebrating and supporting its past players.

Rory Best

One of Ireland's most distinguished captains of the professional era, Rory Best enjoyed an international career spanning 14 years, earning 124 caps and representing his country at four Rugby World Cups. A central figure during one of the most successful periods in Irish rugby history, Best was part of the Grand Slam-winning teams of 2009 and 2018 and captained Ireland to their historic first victory over New Zealand in 2016.

At provincial level, the Ulster hooker made more than 200 appearances and captained the province during a career defined by consistency, leadership and commitment to his teammates. Best also represented the British & Irish Lions on two tours, further establishing his reputation as one of the most respected figures in the game.

Speaking at the event, Best said: “It's a very special occasion for me and my family, and I'm hugely grateful to Rugby Players Ireland for bringing everyone together. Some of my greatest memories from my playing days are actually the moments I shared with my kids after games. As they get older, it's lovely to have opportunities like this to give them a fuller understanding of what the game meant to me, the people I shared it with and how much those experiences shaped our lives.”

Niamh Briggs

Niamh Briggs played a pivotal role in the emergence of Irish women's rugby on the international stage, earning 62 caps and establishing herself as one of the country's most influential players.

A key member of Ireland's historic 2013 Six Nations Grand Slam-winning team, Briggs was also instrumental in the famous victory over New Zealand at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup.

She went on to captain Ireland to the 2015 Women's Six Nations title, while her performances, leadership and dedication helped raise the profile of women's rugby across the country. Since retiring from international rugby, Briggs has continued to contribute to the development of the game through coaching, helping to create opportunities for the next generation of players.

Following her induction, Briggs said: “It's a real honour to be recognised in this way, and especially to share the occasion with so many people who have been part of my rugby career. We were fortunate to experience some incredible moments together, but I'm equally proud of how far the women's game has continued to grow. Hopefully, we've played some small part in helping the next generation achieve even more.”

John Muldoon

Few players have embodied the identity of a province quite like John Muldoon, whose remarkable career with Connacht Rugby spanned 15 seasons. The Galway native became synonymous with the province's transformation from perennial underdogs to PRO12 champions in 2016.

As captain, Muldoon led Connacht to their historic title triumph over Leinster in Edinburgh, a defining moment for rugby in the west of Ireland and one of the great achievements of the professional era in Irish provincial rugby.

Muldoon also earned three international caps for Ireland and has remained closely involved in the professional game since retiring, bringing his experience and leadership to coaching.

Reflecting on his induction, Muldoon said: “It’s a huge privilege to be recognised in this way and to join so many great names from such a successful period in Irish rugby in the Hall of Fame. My career spanned a number of different eras at Connacht, and while we always had to do things a little differently, we found a way. To see how far the province has come, and the shape it’s in today, is something I take enormous pride in. I’m very grateful to Rugby Players Ireland for this recognition, which means a great deal when I think of all the people who played a part in that journey.”

Jeremy O'Murchu, National Sponsorship Manager at Heineken Ireland, welcomed the latest additions to the Hall of Fame: “We are extremely proud to partner with Rugby Players Ireland for this special occasion. At Heineken we take great pride in our long-standing association with rugby. In that time the Irish game has enjoyed remarkable success while also producing exceptional individuals like Rory, Niamh and John. I welcome their induction into the Heineken Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame.”

Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, congratulated the three inductees: “Rory, Niamh and John have each made and continue to make an enormous contribution to Irish rugby, both through their achievements on the field and the example they have set throughout their careers. While they represent different journeys through the game, what unites them is their leadership, their commitment to their teammates and the lasting impact they have had on those around them.

“The Hall of Fame gives us an opportunity to recognise those contributions and, just as importantly, to bring people together to celebrate the friendships and shared experiences that make rugby so special. We are delighted to welcome all three into this distinguished group.”

LIST OF RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2003 Mick Galwey, Peter Clohessy
2004 Keith Wood, Paddy Johns
2005 Eric Elwood
2006 Jeremy Davidson
2007 Victor Costello
2008 David Humphreys
2009 Anthony Foley
2010 Girvan Dempsey
2011 Malcolm O'Kelly
2012 John Hayes
2013 Denis Hickie
2014 Simon Best
2015 David Wallace
2016 Ronan O'Gara
2017 Geordan Murphy
2018 Brian O'Driscoll
2019 Conor O'Shea
2020 Gordon D'Arcy