Cormac Izuchukwu (born 28 January 2000) is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.
| Date of birth | 28 January 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | London, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 118 kg (18.6 st; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Roscrea College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He was born in London to an Irish mother and Nigerian father. He moved to County Offaly when he was 7 where he and his brother and sister were raised by their mother.[1] He started playing rugby with Tullamore RFC in Offaly, before going to Roscrea College,[2] where he played for the first XV in the Leinster Schools Cup quarter-finals.[1] He was offered an opportunity to try out for Connacht at under-19 level, but twisted his ankle and was unable to attend. He signed up to play for Kelso RFC, Scotland as an 18 year old, which included training with Newcastle Falcons. [3]
He joined the Ulster academy ahead of the 2020–21 season,[4] and made his Ulster debut coming in the 63rd minute of 21―7 victory over Ospreys on 26 February 2021.[5] He played in the subsequent games against Glasgow Warriors and Leinster when he received a yellow card.[6]
He signed a two-year contract with the province in April 2021.[7] He was selected for the Emerging Ireland squad for the Toyota Challenge in South Africa in September 2022.[8] He was a squad player for Ulster under Dan McFarland, but became a regular starter in the back row in the second half of the 2023–24 season under new head coach Richie Murphy,[9]
International
editA highlights video came to the attention of Anthony Eddy at the IRFU, who signed him up for Ireland Sevens.[4] He represented Ireland at two sevens competitions in 2019.[10][11]
His form saw him called up to the Ireland squad for their two-match 2024 summer tour of South Africa.[12] He went on to make his debut in a 52-17 win against Fiji scoring a try before it was disallowed for a forward pass in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.[13] [14]
References
edit- ^ a b "'That's all I knew, the area I lived in wasn't the most affluent area'". www.msn.com. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ^ "Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy squad for 2020/21 season is named". Ulster Rugby. 12 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "'Patience' vital for Ireland debutant Izuchukwu". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ a b John O'Sullivan, "Cormac Izuchukwu ready to take a giant step with Ulster", The Irish Times, 19 June 2020
- ^ "Ulster overcome Ospreys but miss out on bonus point". the42. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Ulster v Leinster - Rugby Union". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ^ Adam McKendry, "Academy lock Izuchukwu agrees upgraded two-year deal as Roberts signs first pro contract with Ulster", Belfast Telegraph, 16 April 2021
- ^ "Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Toyota Challenge In Bloemfontein", Irish Rugby, 14 September 2022
- ^ Rory Keane, "Ulster’s breakout flanker Izuchukwu storms into Ireland mix", Extra.ie, 6 June 2024
- ^ "Ulster flyer Sexton in men's squad as Ireland 7s sides head for Spain". The42. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Izuchukwu takes the road less travelled on his rugby journey". Ulster Rugby. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 8 July 2024
- ^ Fanning, Brendan. "Ireland overwhelm Fiji as Prendergast gives Farrell a glimpse of bright future". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Cave expects Izuchukwu to shine for Ireland in series". BBC. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
External links
edit- Ulster Rugby profile
- United Rugby Championship profile
- Cormac Izuchukwu at European Professional Club Rugby
- Cormac Izuchukwu at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Cormac Izuchukwu at FinalWhistle.ie
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