Niall Smyth
| Birth name | Niall Smyth | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 July 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | New York City, United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 118 kg (18.6 st; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Blackrock College | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Niall Smyth (born July 9, 2005) is an Irish rugby union player who operates as a tight‑head prop in the Leinster system. A former soccer standout in New York, he transitioned to rugby during his teenage years and was promoted to Leinster’s senior squad in 2025.
Early life
[edit]Smyth was born in New York City and grew up playing soccer, even marking Manchester United youth star Kobbie Mainoo in a state‑level match. Moving to Ireland and enrolling at Blackrock College led him to take up rugby.[1]
Professional career
[edit]Leinster
[edit]Smyth joined the Leinster Academy ahead of the 2024–25 season.[2] He signed his first senior contract in early 2025.[3][better source needed] He featured for Leinster 'A' in the Interprovincial Championship but is yet to make his senior debut.
Playing style
[edit]At 118 kg and 1.91 m tall, Smyth brings notable physicality to the loosehead position. Former Ireland prop Bernard Jackman described him as “the next Tadhg Furlong”.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Niall Smyth: "I played football against some high-profile teams like Man United — I marked Kobbie Mainoo"".
- ^ "Leinster's Academy intake includes eight Ireland U‑20 men's internationals". Irish Rugby. August 6, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Former Blackrock College student, Niall Smyth is turning pro". Leinster Rugby X.
- ^ "Jackman claims Leinster prop Niall Smyth will be 'next Tadhg Furlong'". Balls.ie.