Team Profiles

Irish Exiles DHL Seven

Colours: Green

The Irish Exiles were founded in 1989 by Tom Kiernan the former British and Irish Lion and Ireland Captain. Their purpose is to identify and develop players who are Irish qualified and playing in England, Scotland and Wales.

Until the game went professional the senior side successfully competed in Ireland Inter-Provincial Championships. Since their formation, the Irish Exiles Branch of the IRFU has provided nineteen full Irish Internationals. This number includes two British and Irish Lions - Simon Easterby (2005) and Rob Henderson (2001).

The current focus is on underage rugby and six of the Ireland squad, who held France to a draw in the final of the U18 European Championship in Dax this month, were Irish Exiles.

It is only recently that the Exiles have started playing Sevens thanks to the sponsorship of DHL Global Forwarding and OB Sport. The focus is on development and the continual introduction of young players. The Irish Exiles DHL Seven playing in the Sunshine Sevens is led by former Ireland U21 International Robbie Shaw. He is supported by experienced Sevens players Mark Bruce, an Ireland Sevens International, and former Ireland U21 winger Matt Williams. Current holders of the Carrick Sevens.