Kildare Touch Rugby Players impress for Ireland at Touch Rugby World Cup

The 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup took place in Nottingham recently from 15 th – 21 st July and there were a number of players from Kildare who were part of the Ireland teams that played in the tournament.

Touch Rugby is six-a-side, non-contact version of rugby which is very popular in

Australia and New Zealand where it happens to be the number one participation sport.

Ireland Women’s 35s Touch Rugby team with Julie Huxham and Laura Edwards second and fourth from left, back row respectively. Tonka Selby is extreme left, front row.

Here in Ireland, it is growing in popularity with nearly 500 players. And here in County Kildare there is a touch club operating in MU Barnhall RFC in Leixlip.

Two players from MU Barnhall Touch took part in the World Cup on two of the Ireland squads. James Smith, who lives in Celbridge, played for the Ireland Mixed 30s squad which finished 10 th in the tournament with victories over Fiji, China and Italy. James was making his debut for Ireland in this World Cup and he managed to get over for a try against the Cook Islands.

Another MU Barnhall Touch player Julie Huxham from Kill was a member of the Ireland Women’s 35s squad that came 7 th in their division. Julie is an experienced touch player who has been playing Touch for Ireland for over 12 years and she managed to get over for a try in the victory over Fiji that secured 7 th place.

Also involved in the Women’s 35s were Clane residents Tonka Selby, who was the Head Coach of the team, and Laura Edwards who was a key player for the Women’s 35s scoring a try in the victory over Fiji.

Several games involving the Irish teams are available to watch on the Federation of International Touch YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@internationaltouch.

Anyone in Kildare who wishes to try their hand at this fast and exciting sport, MU Barnhall Touch club train on Wednesdays at 7pm and everyone is welcome to join.