Rob Kearney
Ireland
player portrait
Full name Robert D.J. Kearney
Born March 26, 1986, Louth
Current age 37 years 359 days
Major teams British and Irish Lions, Edinburgh, Force, Ireland A, Leinster, Ireland
Position Fullback, Wing
Height 6 ft 1 in
Weight 207 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 2007-2019 98 93 5 87 17 1 0 0 53 42 3 55.61
Ireland 2007-2019 95 91 4 82 16 1 0 0 52 40 3 56.31
British and Irish Lions 2009-2009 3 2 1 5 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 33.33
Five/Six Nations 2008-2019 48 45 3 22 4 1 0 0 29 17 2 62.5
IRB Rugby World Cup 2011-2019 11 10 1 30 6 0 0 0 7 4 0 63.63

Career statistics
Test debut Argentina v Ireland at Buenos Aires, Jun 2, 2007 match details
Last Test Ireland v New Zealand at Tokyo, Oct 19, 2019 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

Rob Kearney's fearless skills under the high ball and deft attacking prowess have made him one of the most dangerous fullbacks in world rugby. Kearney made his bow for Leinster in a Celtic League loss to the Ospreys in 2005, having already represented the province at U19 and schoolboy levels. He made his Heineken Cup debut later that season against Bath.

Kearney's development continued with a call-up to the full Ireland squad for the 2007 summer tour to Argentina, and having already played for Ireland A in the Churchill Cup, he made his international debut against the Pumas in June.

Kearney made a full impact in the 2008 Six Nations, featuring in all of Ireland's games and scoring against Scotland and England. Kearney then started both of Ireland's tour matches against Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2008 before also being an ever-present through the 2008 autumn internationals, scoring two tries against Canada.

In the 2009 Six Nations, Kearney was an ever-present as Ireland secured a famous Grand Slam. His performances at fullback made him a leading contender for Lions recognition and he followed up on his fine form by helping Leinster to their maiden Heineken Cup title, although he started on the bench at Murrayfield as Leicester were beaten.

An early injury on tour meant he only made his first appearance of the 2013 Lions tour five matches into proceedings, coming off the bench against the Waratahs. He subsequently started in the defeat to the Brumbies and the win over the Melbourne Rebels, but Leigh Halfpenny's fine form meant he watched all of the Tests from the sidelines.

He was selected for the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa and made the squad for the first Test in Durban. He came on as a first half replacement for the injured Lee Byrne in the first Test and started the other two matches. In the second Test in Pretoria he scored a memorable try but the Lions went on to lose the match and therefore the series.

Kearney continued to play a prominent role for Ireland and Leinster but in November 2010 he suffered a serious knee injury against New Zealand, which ruled him out of the remainder of the season.

In May of that year he signed a new two-year deal with Leinster and Ireland and he made his return to the international arena in a 10-6 defeat to Scoltand in Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up game in August 2011. The fullback came through the game unscathed, raising his hopes to going to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Kearney made it to the World Cup and played in three of Ireland's games but it wasn't until the following Six Nations campaign that he hit top form with some terrific performances despite Ireland's disappointing showing. His great form continued into the Heineken Cup and he played a crucial role as Leinster were crowned champions of Europe once again.

On the international stage Kearney's calm authority and consistent quality ensured he was selected for the British & Irish Lions again, despite Ireland's disappointing Six Nations in 2013.

Latest Articles
Leinster fullback Rob Kearney a doubt for European opener (Nov 9, 2015) Ireland taking cautious approach over Rob Kearney fitness (Sep 7, 2015) Fifteen Ireland internationals re-sign with Leinster (Apr 9, 2015) Tommy Bowe pens new deal with Ulster (Nov 13, 2014) Rob Kearney signs Leinster deal until 2018 (Nov 11, 2014) Rob Kearney news and articles (85) »
Latest Photos
Apr 4, 2015
Anthony Watson's tackle sends Rob Kearney flying
Anthony Watson's tackle sends Rob Kearney flying
©  Getty Images
Feb 7, 2015
Ireland's Rob Kearney is halted
Ireland's Rob Kearney is halted
©  Getty Images
Nov 22, 2014
Rob Kearney of Ireland tries to tackle Israel Folau
Rob Kearney of Ireland tries to tackle Israel Folau
©  Getty Images
Nov 8, 2014
Ireland's Rob Kearney fields the ball against South Aftrica
Ireland's Rob Kearney fields the ball against South Aftrica
©  Getty Images
Rob Kearney rugby photos (54) »

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