Kieran Marmion

Kieran Marmion
Marmion warming up for Connacht
Full name Kieran Marmion
Date of birth 11 February 1992
Place of birth Barking, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 84 kg (13 st 3 lb)[1]
School Kirkham Grammar School
University University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Scrum-half
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
Galway Corinthians RFC
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2012– Connacht 71 (60)
correct as of 2 February 2015.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)


2011-2012
2014-
2014-		 Ireland U18
Ireland U19
Ireland U20
Ireland Wolfhounds
Ireland

14
2
3

(5)
(0)
(0)
correct as of 2 February 2015.

Kieran Marmion (born 11 February 1992 in Barking, England) is an Irish rugby union player. He primarily plays as a scrum-half. Marmion currently plays for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro12.

Marmion came into Connacht's academy through the Irish Exiles program and plays his club rugby with Galway Corinthians. Born in England and raised in Brecon, Wales, Marmion has played his international rugby for Ireland since under-age level making his full debut in 2014.

Early life

Marmion, who was born in England to Irish parents, was raised in Wales. He is the son of former Saracens centre Mick Marmion. Marmion attended Christ College, Brecon and Kirkham Grammar School, where he was part of their successful rugby sevens team. He was also a student at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. Marmion was involved in the Irish Exiles set-up from a young age, and represented the Exiles at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 levels. This involvement with the Exiles led to Marmion being called up for the Ireland Under-20 team, which in turn led to him being signed to the academy of Connacht, one of the Irish provincial teams, in 2011.[2]

Career

Connacht

Marmion came to Connacht from the IRFU Exiles system, which helps Irish-qualified players overseas to make their way into professional rugby in Ireland.[3] He made his Pro 12 debut for Connacht on 1 September 2012 whilst still in the Academy, starting against Cardiff Blues.[3] Marmion then made his Heineken Cup debut on 13 October 2012, starting against Zebre in Connacht's 10-19 win, their first ever away win in the competition.[4] Marmion signed a two-year contract with Connacht in November 2012.[5] He was named as Connacht's Player of the Month for October 2012.[6] In his first season with Connacht, Marmion started all 22 league games and all 6 Heineken Cup games.[7][8]

Marmion scored his first try for Connacht on 28 September 2013, against Ospreys in the 2013–14 Pro12. Marmion again featured in all of Connacht's competitive games for the season, playing in the league and the 2013–14 Heineken Cup, with Pro12 matches against Benetton Treviso and Munster the only two games that he did not start in. Marmion signed a further contract extension with Connacht in November 2013, which will see him remain with the province until at least the summer of 2016.[9]

International

Despite being raised in Wales, Marmion represents Ireland at international level, his parents being Irish, and Marmion having come through the Exiles. Marmion was capped at various under-age levels, including playing for the Under-18 and Under-20 teams.[10]

Marmion made his debut for Ireland Under-20 on 10 June 2011, starting against England Under-20 in their opening 33-25 defeat of the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.[11] Marmion went on to start every game for Ireland U20 in the tournament. He also started for Ireland U20 in their historic 19-23 win against South Africa Under-20 on 4 June 2012, in the opening game of the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship.[12]

Marmion was named in the Ireland squad for the 2013 tour to North America on 19 May 2013.[13] In January 2014, Marmion was named, along with six other uncapped players, in Joe Schmidt's extended 44-man squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship.[14] He came off the bench for Ireland Wolfhounds in their friendly against England Saxons on 25 January 2014.[15]

Marmion made his first appearance for the senior Ireland side during the 2014 end of season tests. He came on as a second-half replacement for Conor Murray against Argentina as Ireland won the game on a score of 29–17.[16]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/squads_ireland.php?player=62013&includeref=dynamic
  2. ↑ "Young Exiles Move To Provincial Academy Placements". Irish Rugby. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Marmion Signs New Contract". irishrugby.ie. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Connacht claim first Heineken Cup away win". ercrugby.com. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Marmion Extends Connacht Contract". irishrugby.ie. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "Marmion Claims Connacht Monthly Award". irishrugby.ie. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "itsrugby.co.uk - RaboDirect Pro12 2012/13". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "itsrugby.co.uk - Heineken Cup 2012/13". Itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Marmion Signs New Contract". irishrugby.ie. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Marmion Signs New Contract". irishrugby.ie. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "Ireland U20s Go Close In Treviso". irishrugby.ie. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Ireland U20s Stun Hosts South Africa". irishrugby.ie. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  13. ↑ "Ireland Squads Announced For Summer Tours". irishrugby.ie. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Joe Schmidt names seven uncapped players in his extended 44-man Six Nations squad". Irish Independent. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Wolfhounds Hold On For Hard-Fought Victory". irishrugby.ie. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "A lot to ponder for Joe Schmidt and Ireland after Argentina victory". Irish Independent. 7 June 2014.

External links