Ian McKinley

[jimbobjoe]

What a journey he's had. Amazing stuff

[Xanthippe]

I'm incredibly happy for Ian but (and this is probably ridiculous as I don't actually know him) I'm also unbelievably proud of everything he's achieved.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'm incredibly happy for Ian but (and this is probably ridiculous as I don't actually know him) I'm also unbelievably proud of everything he's achieved.

I was thinking the exact same thing

Anyone know if the issue of some countries not allowing the goggles has been sorted completely?

[jimbobjoe]

I'm incredibly happy for Ian but (and this is probably ridiculous as I don't actually know him) I'm also unbelievably proud of everything he's achieved.

I was thinking the exact same thing

Anyone know if the issue of some countries not allowing the goggles has been sorted completely?

World rugby has a global trial for goggles. I assume this puts an umbrella over all WR sanctioned matches.

http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Ah I see, thanks!

[Donny B.]

If he just placekicks reliably for them and nothing else, he'd be a big improvement on what they have at ten now.

I've never met Ian but I remember hearing how down he was when he had to retire from rugby initially. So like others on here, I've followed his story closely as he's returned to rugby in Italy and got behind the goggles campaign. The reception he got when he came on at the RDS was lovely and it's been beautiful to watch him make his way back into the game.

[blockhead]

Ian McKinley makes the Italian squad for the AIs.

[curates_egg]

Ian McKinley makes the Italian squad for the AIs.

What an achievement.
Such a shame he couldn't do it here but massive congrats.

[hugonaut]

Massive achievement - the guy has so much guts, drive and talent. Many congratulations to him.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Unbelievable achievement. delighted for him

I also can't wait to see what he achieves after rugby, a guy like that is destined for big things.

Plus when he becomes NIE he can sign for Munster!

[blockhead]

Unbelievable achievement. delighted for him

I also can't wait to see what he achieves after rugby, a guy like that is destined for big things.

Plus when he becomes NIE he can sign for Munster!

[BlueBlue]

Delighted for him. A very brave and driven person, its great to see his hard work pay off.

[curates_egg]

And...the matchday squad.
Forza I-Mc. In bocca al lupo.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 05452.html
Franno, McKenna, Luke Fitz and all have some new grist for their mill.

[footrush]

If he just placekicks reliably for them and nothing else, he'd be a big improvement on what they have at ten now.

I've never met Ian but I remember hearing how down he was when he had to retire from rugby initially. So like others on here, I've followed his story closely as he's returned to rugby in Italy and got behind the goggles campaign. The reception he got when he came on at the RDS was lovely and it's been beautiful to watch him make his way back into the game.

+1

[footrush]

I'm incredibly happy for Ian but (and this is probably ridiculous as I don't actually know him) I'm also unbelievably proud of everything he's achieved.

This +1

[FLIP]

And...the matchday squad.
Forza I-Mc. In bocca al lupo.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 05452.html
Franno, McKenna, Luke Fitz and all have some new grist for their mill.

How can anyone begrudge him playing for Italy? His career wouldn't have had a chance had Italy not been one of the few places allowing the use of googles. How long did it take Ireland to fall in line on that one?

[curates_egg]

And...the matchday squad.
Forza I-Mc. In bocca al lupo.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 05452.html
Franno, McKenna, Luke Fitz and all have some new grist for their mill.

How can anyone begrudge him playing for Italy? His career wouldn't have had a chance had Italy not been one of the few places allowing the use of googles. How long did it take Ireland to fall in line on that one?

If they are to be consistent, based on their line of argument against Aki and Stander, every single one of those pundits should be opposed to it as he would not pass a Mussolini DNA test.

[arsebiscuits1]

And...the matchday squad.
Forza I-Mc. In bocca al lupo.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 05452.html
Franno, McKenna, Luke Fitz and all have some new grist for their mill.

How can anyone begrudge him playing for Italy? His career wouldn't have had a chance had Italy not been one of the few places allowing the use of googles. How long did it take Ireland to fall in line on that one?

This discussion gets bandied around a lot and IRFU get's the unfair end of the stick from the masses.

Ireland were not the only country not involved. In fact most major unions were not. World Rugby had not approved them. What gain does anyone have actively going against a governing body?

Your argument should be with World Rugby if anyone.

[fourthirtythree]

It's turned into an active choice against doing it (on the 42 yesterday) whereas, and I could be wrong but my memory of it was... that they asked it be trialled in Italian domestic rugby. It was but that didn't mean he could use them in the Pro12. That was a separate decision by governing bodies. I don't think he had been actively trying to move to, say, AIL/UBL clubs to trial them in the first place and the IRFU vindictively decided against it. Once it had been trialled at club level it went beyond Ireland or Italy alone and needed approval at transnational level to be of further use to him.

And, as pointed out above, we await the anti-furriner begrudgers to line up condemning this while normal people applaud this as an insipiring and great story. The kind of thing that gets made into a cheesy movie.

[simonokeeffe]

And...the matchday squad.
Forza I-Mc. In bocca al lupo.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 05452.html
Franno, McKenna, Luke Fitz and all have some new grist for their mill.

How can anyone begrudge him playing for Italy? His career wouldn't have had a chance had Italy not been one of the few places allowing the use of googles. How long did it take Ireland to fall in line on that one?

If they are to be consistent, based on their line of argument against Aki and Stander, every single one of those pundits should be opposed to it as he would not pass a Mussolini DNA test.

yup

France with a record low of one project player, mainly due to injuries