James Coughlan

James Coughlan
Full name James Coughlan
Date of birth 9 December 1980 (1980-12-09) (age 31)
Place of birth Cork, Ireland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 107 kg
School Christian Brothers College
University University College Cork
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Back-row
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2006-present Munster 86 (40)
correct as of 31 Dec 2011.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2008-2009 Ireland Sevens
correct as of 03 Oct 2011.

James Coughlan (born 6 December 1980) is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He normally plays at Number 8 but has also played at both Blindside and Openside Flanker.

Contents

Early rugby career

Coughlan started playing rugby with Old Christians at the age of 10. He continued playing when he went to CBC, and was selected for Irish Schools. He went to UCC, and played for Irish Universities. He joined Dolphin in 2001 and has played 85 times for them in AIB League/Cup, scoring 32 tries, a club record. Coughlan also played on the Irish Sevens team in 2008 that qualified for the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup, which was held in Dubai.[1]

Munster

Coughlan made his Munster debut against Cardiff Blues in the Magners League in September 2006,[2] and his performances in his first season earnt him a full contract. He made one appearance for Munster during their victorious 2007-08 Heineken Cup campaign.[3] Coughlan was one of the stars for Munster in their 16–18 defeat by New Zealand at the opening of Thomond Park in November 2008.[4] Denis Leamy's injuries propelled Coughlan into the Munster starting XV in the 2009/2010 season, and since then he has become a mainstay in the team. Coughlan captained Munster during their historic 15–6 win over Australia in November 2010,[5] and he won the Munster Player of the Year award for 2011,[6] beating fellow nominees Keith Earls, Ronan O'Gara and Doug Howlett. He started at Number 8 for Munster as they beat old rivals Leinster 19-9 to win the 2011 Magners League Grand Final.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Carney & Coughlan in Ireland Sevens Squad". munsterrugby.ie. 23 February 2009. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/515.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  2. ^ "Munster make Blues work for their win". munsterrugby.ie. 1 September 2006. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/294.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  3. ^ "Llanelli Scarlets 16-29 Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 8 December 2007. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/302.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  4. ^ "Oh So Close". munsterrugby.ie. 20 November 2008. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/328.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  5. ^ "Class of 2010 Excel". munsterrugby.ie. 17 November 2010. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/8287.php. Retrieved 2 October 2011. 
  6. ^ "James Coughlan Scoops Player Of The Year". munsterrugby.ie. 6 May 2011. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9028.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  7. ^ "Munster Crowned Magners League Champions". munsterrugby.ie. 28 May 2011. http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/9094.php. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 

External links

Forwards
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