John Birch (rugby union) explained

John Birch
University:	Queen's University Belfast
Position:	Hooker
Repyears1:	1970
Repcaps1:	2
Reppoints1:	0

John Birch is a former Irish international rugby union player from Northern Ireland.

Birch played his rugby for Coleraine, Ballymena, Instonians, Queen's University and Ulster.^[1]

A CAI schoolteacher, Birch won a place on Ireland's 1970 tour of Argentina. He had been a late call up to play hooker for the Possibles team in the Irish trials but impressed enough to join Ballymena teammates Willie John McBride and Syd Millar on the touring party.^[1] Ireland played twice against Argentine in Buenos Aires and Birch featured in both matches, for which the Irish Rugby Football Union retrospectively awarded caps in 2023.^{[2] [3]}

See also

• List of Ireland national rugby union players

Notes and References

1. News: Argentine tour for Birch, McBride and Millar . Ballymena Observer . 7 May 1970.
2. News: Time to recognise uncapped Irish internationals who tackled the Pumas . . 9 November 2018 . en.
3. News: ‘I’ve spent my entire life explaining’: Decades on, players are finally awarded their Ireland caps . The Irish Times . 20 April 2023 . en.