Pathway

Step 1: Start playing touch for your school or Club

Touch is a sport for everyone, whether you have never touched a rugby ball before or have played other forms of rugby. It is a fun, fast-paced game with minimal contact. See where your nearest touch club here.

Step 2: Play in the Liam Carroll Cup

The Liam Carroll Cup is Ireland's premier mixed club tournament with all clubs looking to take home the cup. Coaches will identify players who stand out at these tournaments to be selected for elite level touch teams. 

Step 3: Attend a Youth Screening Camp (Youth Players)

Each year Ireland sends Youth Teams to international tournaments in Europe. The age categories for these tournaments are u15, u18 and u20. Screenings will usually take place towards the end and start of the calendar year so look out for information on when our next one is taking place. Coaches select players at these open trials to compete in the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup. 

Step 4: Play for a Youth Team in the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup (Youth Players)

Once the coaches have selected players from the Screening, regular training takes place in the lead up to the tournament. Coaches will select their squads based on a number of factors and announce squads before the tournament. 

Step 5: Be selected for the Opens Interprovincial League

The Interprovincial League takes each provinces' best players who compete against each other in a one day tournament. Squads are selected based on performances in tournaments throughout the year. Coaches look for players who shine at these games for selection in the national squad. 

Step 6: Be invited to and attend an Opens Camp

Open level touch is the highest level of touch in Ireland. Ireland has three Opens teams; Men's, Women's and Mixed. Open camps will take place each month in the lead up to large tournaments which can include European Championships and World Cups. The next tournament is the European Opens Touch Cup, Italy on 22 August 2025. 

Step 7: Be selected for an Opens Squad

Coaches will select the best 16 players for each Open team, who will go on to represent Ireland on the international stage.