Former Tipperary school student to make history by winning first senior rugby cap

Former Cistercian College, Roscrea student and Tullamore man, Cormac Izuchukwu has been named on the Irish side to play Fiji in the Autumn Series clash at 3.10pm.

The Ulster club man has been named at blindside flanker and it will be a momentous occasion for him and Tullamore Rugby Club, where he played his underage rugby into adulthood.

Izuchukwu, who is 24, was born in London and moved to Kilcormac on Offaly when he was seven before they went to Tullamore. His mother, Catriona Dooley, is a cousin to Offaly hurling heroes Joe, Billy, and Johnny Dooley.

In his younger years, he dabbled in all sports, football, hurling, and athletics before concentrating on rugby – older brother Chinnie was a very good athlete in his young years.

After initially attending Colaiste Choilm in Tullamore, he went to Cistercian College in Roscrea where he played in the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup and he has made phenomenal progress in recent years.

He joined the Ulster academy in 2020-2021 and made his debut against Ospreys in February 2021. He has recovered from injuries and took huge steps forward in the past couple of years, nailing down his place on the Ulster back row for the 2023-2024 season. His form here saw a call up with Ireland and he now wins his first cap.