Mercier press launch the new breed irish rugbys professional era

Wednesday 26 August marks the 20th anniversary of rugby turning professional. In 1995 an amateur Irish side had to beat Wales on the final day of the Five Nations to avoid the wooden spoon. Ahead of a highly anticipated Rugby World Cup, Ireland's professionals are reigning Six Nations champions. Change arrived, but it was far from easy.

It is a perfect time, then, to release a book that tells the story of Irish rugby's first professionals and the current crop who are gunning for glory. Through the eyes of the players and coaches that played vital roles in Irish rugby's transformation, Patrick McCarry’s The New Breed, Irish Rugby’s Professional Era brings that tale to life.

Key players of the first generation, including Ronan O'Gara, Denis Hickie, Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell, provide candid, enlightening interviews, while current professionals, such as Johnny Sexton, Keith Earls, Andrew Trimble and Rob Kearney, offer insights into the ever-changing science, slog and sacrifice it now requires to make it to the very top of today’s game.

Author Patrick McCarry guides us from 1995 when Irish rugby was in a rut, and provincial matches attracted crowds of 300, when the national team was only capable of one exceptional result a year and there was a general lack of interest from the public, to 2015, where Ireland is one of the strongest professional unions in the world and our senior team are 2014 and 2015 Six Nations champions.

Patrick will be available for interviews in the lead-up to this landmark date. There will also be the opportunity to speak with a couple of former players that helped take Ireland from also-rans to champions.

The New Breed, Irish Rugby’s First Professionals is available in paperback nationwide from 24 August RRP €19.99  ISBN: 978 1 78117 331 2