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19th September 2025
08:07pm BST
In light of the recent retirement announcements from Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray, we have had a go at selecting the best Ireland XV from players who have worn the green jersey this century.
We have taken into account longevity, peak, and all-round game - so there is method behind the madness of some of the tough calls that were made.
Regardless, it is an absolute belter of a team!
Irish rugby had never seen the like when he debuted at 22 back in 2009.
A prop with abs and searing pace was exceptionally rare, not just in Ireland but in the game as a whole.
By 2011 he was one of the best in the world, and he will end his career as Ireland's most capped player of all time.
Possibly the best athlete we have seen in green.
There are strong arguments for Jerry Flannery and Rory Best, who played their entire Ireland careers post 2000.
'Fla' was the best lineout thrower we have ever produced, and Best was a serious all-rounder on his day and a fine captain to boot.
Although Woody retired after the 2003 World Cup, he did produce his best days from 2000 onwards and won the inaugural World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2001.
One of those rare players who made Ireland the envy of the rest of the rugby world.
When all is said and done he will be in the conversation for a an all-time world XV.
Shout out as well to John Hayes and Mike Ross, both of whom were crucial to Ireland's successes at various points.
Not only has Beirne surpassed the likes of Malcolm O'Kelly, Donncha O'Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, and Iain Henderson - he has Paul O'Connell in his sights.
Probably Ireland's best player since 2020 after Johnny Sexton.
A top-five Ireland player of all time and our best ever leader.
His greatness is epitomised by the reverence with which he is spoken about by opposition players.
Was one of the top players on the team from his debut in 2002 until his final outing in 2015.
A standard-setter both on the pitch and in training, whose influence will be passed on again by the current generation.
One of his best traits was his ability to raise his game when the stakes got higher, and he has been making fans and pundits eat their words for many a year.
Stephen Ferris was as good when fit, but injuries took their toll on the big Ulsterman.
A tight call between himself and David Wallace.
Despite injury struggles limiting him to just 56 caps, he had a knack of being fit for most of the big ones.
From this team, perhaps only Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll could dominate a game like the Leinster No 7.
Josh van der Flier could go on to overtake both and has a serious claim already, with his World Player of the Year awards from 2022.
Caelan Doris is closing in Heaslip, but for now his predecessor reigns supreme.
A divil in the loose, lineout, and a great footballer to boot.
Received two World Player of the Year nominations, in 2009 and 2016.
One of the best of his generation, and was recognised as such with a place in World Rugby's Team of the Decade (2010-2019).
35 and still a top-class international.
An intriguing thought is what would Jamison Gibson-Park have to do to overtake him?
Had big shoes to fill when taking over from Ronan O'Gara, and the latter did not make it easy for him at the start.
But he took down most of ROG's records, and even managed to take his 'Ireland's best-ever drop goal' crown.
This is the most controversial of all the picks.
Has Lowe done enough in just 39 appearances to overtake the 101-times capped, the 'Moyross express', Keith Earls?
It's debatable for sure, but we reckon he edges it after a year which saw him make World Rugby's Team of 2024, and grow into one of the most rounded wingers in the game.
His high-ball expertise, offloading, and kicking game set him apart.
Shout out to Denis Hickie and 2018 Jacob Stockdale.
Aki's 2023 year is one of the best we have seen from an Irish player, and possibly any centre to have played the game.
The picture of him bloodied and battered during Ireland's last game is already iconic.
Gordon D'Arcy and Robbie Henshaw provide stiff competition.
Ireland's GOAT.
15 years at the very top of the game and utterly unplayable at times.
We all remember just how elite he was with ball in hand, but defensively there were few, if any, backs better than him in the history of the sport.
A player who is not appreciated enough.
For a solid five years he was consistently a top-five winger in the world, and at times top two.
Earls' ability to play either side make him an option, while Shane Horgan might be the people's choice.
Hugo Keenan is fast closing in with his superior all-round game, particularly in defence.
But Kearney was the envy of many a side, bossing the air and marshalling the backfield like no other.
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