Confirmation that Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray will all retire from international rugby after the conclusion of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations is sure to add an extra layer of occasion and emotion to Ireland’s clash with France at the Aviva Stadium on March 8th (kick-off 2.15).
The announcement thus confirms that the game will mark their final international at home and final game at the Aviva Stadium, ahead of the Six Nations finale in Rome on Saturday, March 15th. O’Mahony and Murray look sure to feature against France, as might Healy, and most likely there will be presentations made to the trio within the squad on the Thursday evening prior to the game and over the course on the day itself.
The trio have each won five Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and are seeking to draw the curtain on their illustrious careers in a fitting manner over the next fortnight. The trio of centurions have amassed a staggering 372 caps between them and their final games are guaranteed to be landmark days in Irish rugby.
O’Mahony, a former Ireland and Lions captain, and Healy, Ireland’s current most capped international, will both retire from professional rugby at the end of the current 2024/25 season, while Murray will pursue a playing opportunity abroad following the conclusion of his Munster contract in July.
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The 35-year-old O’Mahony is still going strong, as evidenced by his first 80-minute performance for Ireland since the World Cup when leading the tackle count with 19 in the 27-18 win against Wales last weekend. He has won 112 caps since making his Test debut against Italy in 2012, last year captaining Ireland to Six Nations glory.
A Munster Schools Senior Cup winner with PBC Cork in 2007, the Munster back row has been an ever-present in green over the last 15 years, featuring at three consecutive Rugby World Cups in 2015, 2019 and 2023, and making consistently invaluable contributions to the successes achieved under Joe Schmidt and, more recently, Andy Farrell.
A key leader on and off the pitch, O’Mahony, who captained the British and Irish Lions in the first Test of their 2017 Tour to New Zealand, has made 193 appearances for Munster having made his debut against Ulster in January 2010 and won two Celtic League/URC titles.
Healy will hang up his boots as Ireland’s current most capped player having surpassed Brian O’Driscoll when coming off the bench during the 150th Anniversary Test against Australia at the Aviva Stadium last November.
The prop has featured in two of Ireland’s three Championship wins this season, moving him to 136 caps in green, and he is now also Ireland’s most capped player in the Six Nations on 66 appearances.
Healy made his Ireland debut against Australia at Croke Park in 2009 and has enjoyed a superlative career, winning five Championship titles and featuring at three Rugby World Cups, while also touring with the British and Irish Lions in 2013.
The 37-year-old has showed incredible robustness and durability to consistently deliver for his country and establish himself as one Ireland’s best ever front row forwards. A Leinster Schools Senior Cup winner with Belvedere College SJ and an Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winner, the Clontarf man is also Leinster’s all-time appearance holder, and has won four European Cups, a European Challenge Cup and seven Celtic League/Pro12/Pro14/URC titles to date with the Province.
Murray (35) will step back from international rugby as Ireland’s most capped and greatest scrumhalf of all time, having also played in three successive Lions Test series.
A Munster Schools Senior Cup winner with St Munchin’s in 2006, the Munster scrumhalf has won 124 caps since making his Test debut against France in 2011, sitting joint fourth in Ireland’s most capped list alongside Rory Best and only behind Healy, O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara.
Murray has been part of five Six Nations-winning teams and last weekend’s Triple Crown success in Cardiff was his fourth in green, while the 35-year-old also featured for the British and Irish Lions on three Tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021. He has made 199 appearances to date for Munster, winning two Celtic League/URC titles.
Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said: “It is always a sad time when a player decides to move on, but I would like to pay tribute to all three players and thank them for their outstanding contribution to Irish Rugby over many years. It goes without saying that Peter, Cian and Conor are legends of not just Irish Rugby, but Irish sport, and have each made a significant contribution to the success of Irish Rugby for more than 15 years.
“There is still so much to play for with Ireland and their Provinces and we will mark their careers at an appropriate time in the near future. Knowing each of them, their focus will be on finishing the season on a high, but their influence will endure for many years to come.”
Interim Ireland Head Coach Simon Easterby added: “Since joining the Ireland coaching team back in 2014 it has been a privilege to work with Peter, Cian and Conor. They have each played a huge role in the success of Irish Rugby over the course of their careers and they continue to inspire their teammates around them. Watching how openly they engage with players in their own position and continue to add value around the set-up is testament to their collective character and they are also adding real value on the pitch.
“Knowing each of the guys, they will be focused on achieving even more success this season and we are determined as a group to end their careers with Ireland on a high over these last two rounds.”
