| William Roche | |
| Birth Name: | William Joseph Roche |
| Birth Date: | 28 March 1895 |
| Death Date: | 26 June 1983 |
| Birth Place: | Limerick Ireland |
| Death Place: | Bandon, County Cork Ireland |
| Ru Proclubs: | University College Cork Newport |
| Ru Clubyears: | 19xx-19xx 1920-1927 |
| Ru Province: | Munster |
| Ru Nationalyears: | 1920 1924 |
| Ru Nationalteam: | Ireland British Lions |
| Ru Nationalcaps: | 3 0 |
| Ru Nationalpoints: | (3) (0) |
| University: | University College Cork |
William Joseph Roche (28 March 1895 in Limerick, Ireland - 26 June 1983 in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland) was an Irish rugby union player who represented Munster, Ireland and the British Lions. He also played club rugby for both University College Cork and Newport.
Between 1920 and 1927 Roche played club rugby for Newport and was captain during the 1926-27 season. In 1926 he captained the club against the New Zealand Māoris in a game which ended in a 0-0 draw.[1]
Roche won 3 caps for Ireland during the 1920 Five Nations Championship. He made his debut against England at Lansdowne Road on 14 February in a 14-11 defeat. He then played against Scotland on 28 February at Inverleith in a 19-0 defeat. He won his final cap against France on 3 April in a 15-7 defeat at Lansdowne. While playing for Ireland, his teammates included Ernie Crawford.[2] [3]
Roche was also selected for the British Lions squad for their 1924 tour of South Africa. However he did not play in any of the Test matches against South Africa.[4] [5]