Eric Miller (rugby union)

Eric Roger Patrick Miller^[2] (born 23 September 1975) is a former Irish rugby union and Gaelic football player. As a rugby player Miller played for, among others Old Wesley, Leicester Tigers, Ulster, Leinster, the Barbarians, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. After retiring as a rugby player, Miller switched football codes and went onto play gaelic football for Dublin.

Early years

As a schoolboy and youth, Miller played several sports. He was educated at Wesley College, Dublin where he played both rugby union and cricket. At the same time he played association football for Leicester Celtic, a team whose former players also included Damian Duff. He also played gaelic football for Ballyboden St. Enda's and, together with Brian Stynes, he helped them win a Dublin under 21 Championship title in 1995. Miller eventually opted to concentrate on rugby union and spent the 1995–96 season playing for Old Wesley. He also represented Leinster for the first time at senior level.^[2] .^[3][4][5][6]

Leicester Tigers

In 1996 Miller joined Leicester Tigers and went onto make 12 appearances for them in the Heineken Cup. His impressive performances for the Tigers saw him make his debut for Ireland and then represent the British and Irish Lions. While playing for the Tigers, he also attended both Loughborough University, where he studied for a degree in Physical Education, and Sheffield Hallam University^[3] .^[5]

Leinster

Miller first played for Leinster during the 1995–96 season while still attached to Old Wesley. After his spell with Leicester Tigers he returned to Ireland and initially linked up with Terenure College RFC and Ulster.^[6] In 2000 he returned to Leinster and went onto make 148 appearances for the province in the Celtic League and the Heineken Cup. Back at Leinster he helped them win the 2001–02 Celtic League title.^[5]

Rugby international

Ireland

As well as winning senior caps, Miller also represented Ireland at schoolboy, U21 and A levels. In 1996 he was a prominent member of the Ireland U21 team that won a Triple Crown for the first time. Between 1997 and 2005, Miller made 48 appearances and scored 30 points, including 6 tries, for Ireland. He made his international debut in a friendly against Italy on 4 January 1997. He went onto play for Ireland at both the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. He scored two of six his tries in one game against Namibia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He made his final appearance for Ireland in a friendly against Japan on 19 June 2005.^[7][8]

British and Irish Lions

After playing just four senior internationals for Ireland, Miller was selected by the British and Irish Lions for their 1997 tour of South Africa. He played in five games during the tour, lining up against the Border Bulldogs, Northern Transvaal, Natal and the Free State Cheetahs. A bout of flu saw him miss the first test against South Africa but he recovered in time to feature in the second test on 28 June 1997. However injury saw him miss the third test.^[3][9] At 21 he was youngest member of the touring party.^[7]

Barbarians

Miller has also played for the Barbarians several times. In May 2004 he was included in their squad for games against England, Wales and Scotland.^[10] On 25 May 2005 he featured in a 38–7 defeat against Scotland at Pittodrie.^[11]

Return to Gaelic football

After retiring as a rugby player in January 2006,^[7] Miller started playing Gaelic football again. In August 2006 he came on as a substitute for Ballyboden St. Enda's in a Dublin AFL Division 1 game against Thomas Davis.^[12] On 5 December 2006 he played his first senior game for Dublin against Louth.^[13] He has since ended his short return to GAA.

Retirement

Since finishing with Gaelic football, Miller set up his own personal training company called the real golf solution.^[14] He has also had a rather successful coaching career. In September 2006 he undertook a coaching position in Wesley College, Dublin until 2009. He is also currently coaching for Old Wesley as well as Saint Gerard's School 2011 Appointed Head Coach Blackrock College Rugby Club Dublin Between 2009–2012 Eric also served as Head and assistant coach to the Leinster U18 Club(youths) team and helped the team win 3 interprovincial championships in a row during his tenure.

In August 2012 Miller was appointed Head Coach of CYM Rugby Club in Terenure Dublin. Miller follows in the footsteps of club luminaries like Fay Ragan.

In May 2013 Miller was appointed Head Coach of Seapoint Rugby Club in South Dublin. Seapoint are a Division 2A side playing in the Ulster Bank League.

In August 2014 Miller was appointed as the Consultant Head Coach of Trinity College Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Honours

Rugby union

Wesley College

• Leinster Schools Junior Cup
  • Runner-up: 1989–90 : 1

Leinster

• Celtic League
  • Winners: 2000–01 : 1

Gaelic football

Ballyboden St. Endas

• Dublin Under 21 Football Championship
  • Winners: 1995: 1

References