By TJS10
August 6 2006

Following the recent deluge of Irishmen to the Welford Road dressing rooms in recent seasons, I thought I would look back over some of the legends & clubmen who have won caps for the Emerald Isle whilst plying their trade for the Tigers. In the 125 year history of Leicester Football Club, many Irish Internationals have appeared at Welford Road either for or against the Tigers, but only 9 players have ever won Irish caps whilst being on the playing staff of the club.

The first Irish International who ever appeared for Tigers was William Davies (against Salford on 26 December 1895), closely followed later the same season by Aubrey Dowson (vs Croydon on 29 February 1896), but neither player won any of their caps whilst in the scarlet, green & white of the Tigers.

That honour fell to the legendary George Beamish. George won 25 caps for Ireland, and 5 caps for the Lions (on the 1930 Tour). He was also captain of the 1932 Ireland side that tied the Championship. The Battle of Britain pilot was awarded the CBE in 1942 and the KCB in 1955 and also ran as MP for North Belfast in 1959 but never made it to Westminster as he was defeated by the sitting MP.

Tigers appearances: 118
Ireland caps: 25
Lions caps: 5



Paddy Coote was the second active Tiger to win full Irish honours when he made his only appearance for the Emerald Isle against Scotland in 1933, appearing alongside a former Tiger called Morgan Crowe. Coote would probably have won more caps for his country but his rugby career was tragically cut short later that year when he injured his neck in a tackle for Tigers away at Swansea. He was killed in action in 1941.

Tigers appearances: 27
Ireland caps: 1



Charles Beamish won 12 caps for Ireland (6 whilst at Tigers) in the 1930’s. He along with brothers Sir George, Cecil and Victor Beamish were the first family to have produced four brothers who have all appeared in first team matches for Leicester Tigers. This was a feat unique in the club’s history until Anitelea Tuilagi came on as a 62nd minute substitute against Gloucester in 2005, allowing himself, Freddie, Henry & Alex to join the Beamish brothers in the club’s folklore.

Tigers appearances: 17
Ireland caps: 12



Tony O’Reilly was well known in rugby circles years before joining Tigers after he was selected for the 1995 Lions Tour as an 18 year old! He went on to win 10 Lions caps on the ’55 and ‘59 Tours to add to his 29 Ireland caps. On his Tigers debut in 1958 he unfortunately gave away a penalty try in a 10-3 defeat to rivals Northampton and, after only 2 ½ seasons at Welford Road, returned to Ireland in an attempt to re-start his Ireland career. He must have thought he had won his 28th and final Irish cap in 1963 but was unexpectedly recalled to the national side seven years later in 1970 when Bill Brown pulled out late on with injury!

Tigers appearances: 17
Ireland caps: 25
Lions caps: 10



There was then a long wait of over 30 years before Tigers’ next Irish cap in the shape of Brian Smith in 1991. Australian-born Smith had won 6 caps for his homeland (in 6 different positions!) in 1986 before moving to England and swapping Aussie gold for Irish green. His time at Tigers was short (6 months) but long enough to make a small impression at Welford Road.

Tigers appearances: 17
Australia caps: 6
Ireland caps: 9



Leeds-born Niall Malone made his Tigers debut on the 1993 pre-season tour of South Africa against Gardens Tech, having made his Irish debut in the January of the same year. After joining Tigers, he only won one more International cap, as a replacement
against the USA in November 1994. The Fly-half/Full-back/centre was a reliable clubman for Leicester but his “utility” tag probably cost him a number of first team appearances and, in later seasons, being stuck behind Stransky in his favoured fly-half role, meant the opportunity for starting places were often restricted.

Tigers appearances: 71
Ireland caps: 3



Eric Miller did little to disprove the Irish stereotype in his time at Tigers and was always on hand to provide something if you ever needed an anecdote or two! Local rumour has it that he may even have been the source for a few of the “An Irishman walked in the bar…” jokes!
He may have won a second cap for the Lions in 1997 had his father not given him a banned substance (albeit an innocent over-the-counter medication) to try to treat a cold he had picked up mid-Tour. When the Lions team doctor found out what had happened, Eric was pulled from the Test side as a precaution in case he was selected for random testing.

Tigers appearances: 50 (ish?)
Ireland caps: 48
Lions caps: 1



The final two players capped by Ireland whist playing for Tigers are current squad members Geordan Murphy & Leo Cullen. However, whilst it is unlikely that Paul Burke will add to his International honours in the coming seasons, it surely won’t be long before one of the recent influx of youngsters from across the Irish sea becomes the 10th Tiger to answer Ireland’s Call!

Geordan Murphy
Tigers appearances: 184 (to date)
Ireland caps: 42
Lions caps: 1

Leo Cullen
Tigers appearances: 27 (to date)
Ireland caps: 18