For Irish rugby, 2024 produced no shortage of highlights. For the men’s team, another Six Nations title was claimed, although the elation was tinged with regret after missing out on the Grand Slam.
The summer stirred even more mixed emotions, losing to world champions South Africa before a stunning, Ciaran Frawley-inspired win in Durban.
Three wins from four was a satisfactory return in the Autumn Nations Series, but losing to the All Blacks in the headline fixture only served to deepen Irish wounds from the 2023 World Cup.
As for the women’s side, significant strides were made in their first full year under head coach Scott Bemand with World Cup qualification and a memorable win over world champions New Zealand to show for their efforts.
For Irish rugby as a whole, the next 12 months promise to be exciting but uncertain. Here is a look-ahead to a busy year in 2025.