Ireland trio announce international retirement following end of Six Nations campaign

Ireland trio Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony, and Conor Murray have confirmed they will retire from international rugby after this year’s Guinness Six Nations.

Leinster prop Healy, Ireland’s most-capped player with 136 appearances, and Munster flanker O’Mahony will step away from professional rugby at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, scrum-half Murray plans to continue his career abroad once his Munster contract expires in July.

Ireland currently lead the Six Nations table with three wins from three as they push for an unprecedented third consecutive championship title.

Simon Easterby’s side will face title contenders France at home on Saturday, March 8, before concluding the tournament a week later against Italy.

The trio shared their retirement news in a joint video posted on the Irish Rugby Football Union’s X account.

“Hi everyone, we’ve got some news to share: this will be our last Six Nations in green,” they said.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey and I consider myself very lucky but the job isn’t done and we’ve a big couple of weeks ahead.

“The three of us have done some very special things together but we’re not done yet.”

The experienced trio have each secured five Six Nations titles, including Grand Slam victories in 2018 and 2023.

O’Mahony led Ireland to last year’s triumph after taking over the captaincy from the retired Johnny Sexton, before Caelan Doris was named skipper in the autumn.

The 35-year-old made his international debut against Italy in 2012 and has earned 112 caps.

Healy, 37, became Ireland’s most-capped player in November, surpassing Brian O’Driscoll, having first represented his country in 2009.

Murray, with 124 caps since his debut in 2011, is tied with former captain Rory Best as Ireland’s joint fourth most-capped player.

Interim head coach Simon Easterby reflected on their contributions, saying: “Since joining the Ireland coaching team 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 team-mates 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.”

Murray represented the British and Irish Lions on three tours in 2013, 2017, and 2021, while O’Mahony captained the side in the opening Test against New Zealand during the 2017 series.

Healy was also selected for the 2013 Lions tour to Australia but was sidelined for the three-Test series after suffering ankle ligament damage in a warm-up match.

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.

“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.”