Tony Butler (rugby union)

Tony Butler (born 23 April 2002) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for United Rugby Championship club Munster.

For other uses, see Tony Butler.

Tony Butler
Date of birth (2002-04-23) 23 April 2002
Place of birthEnnis, Ireland
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight84 kg (13.2 st; 185 lb)
SchoolSt Flannan's College
UniversityUniversity of Limerick
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ennis ()
2021– Garryowen ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Munster 1 (0)
Correct as of 12 December 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Ireland U20 5 (14)
Correct as of 24 June 2022

Early life

Born in County Clare, Butler attended St Flannan's College. He first began playing rugby with Ennis, forming a half-back partnership with fellow Munster academy member Ethan Coughlan and captaining the club at underage level.[1] As well as rugby, Butler was a talented hurler for St Joseph's Doora-Barefield, and started for Clare in their defeat against Limerick in the 2019 Munster Minor Hurling Championship final. He also helped St Flannan's win their first Dr Harty Cup in 15 years in March 2020.[2] As student at the University of Limerick studying construction management and engineering, Butler joined Limerick club Garryowen ahead of the 2021–22 All-Ireland League.[1]

Munster

Butler progressed through the Munster youths system and, in September 2021, captained a Munster Development XV against Ulster. His debut for Munster's 'A' team followed in November,[1] and in the same month Butler joined Munster's academy.[3] Butler was registered with Munster's Champions Cup squad in December 2021 following the disruption caused by the province's recent tour to South Africa,[4] and made his senior competitive debut for the province in their opening 2021–22 Champions Cup fixture away to English club Wasps on 12 December 2021, coming on as a replacement for Joey Carbery in the province's 35–14 win,[5] alongside fellow Ennis RFC men Ethan Coughlan and Conor Moloney.[6]

Ireland

Butler was selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2022 Six Nations Under 20s Championship when it was announced in January 2022,[7] and made his competitive debut for the under-20s in their tournament-opening 53–5 win against Wales on 4 February, coming on for starting fly-half Charlie Tector in the 52nd minute and converting Ben Brownlee's 79th minute try.[8] Butler was as a replacement in Ireland's 39–12 win against Italy on 25 February, scoring two conversions,[9] the 42–27 away win against England on 12 March,[10] and the 59–5 home win against Scotland on 20 March that secured a Grand Slam for Ireland.[11]

Butler was retained in the squad for the Under-20s Summer Series when it was announced in June 2022,[12] and started in Ireland's opening 42–21 defeat against France on 24 June, scoring one conversion during the match[13]

Honours

Ireland under-20s

References
  1. "Butler joins Munster Academy". Clare Echo. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  2. "Munster sign young Cork and Clare GAA stars to rugby academy". The42. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  3. "Trio Join Greencore Munster Rugby Academy". Munster Rugby. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  4. "Munster to register 22 new players for Champions Cup squad". The42. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  5. "Munster's young guns thrill in wild and wonderful bonus-point win over Wasps". The42. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  6. "Clare Trio Included In Munster Squad For Champions Cup Clash With Wasps". Clare FM. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  7. "Rueben Crothers named as captain in 31-man Ireland squad for U20s Six Nations". The42. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  8. "Ireland begin U20s begin Six Nations campaign with blistering eight-try victory over Wales". The42. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  9. "Ireland U20s keep Grand Slam bid on track with bonus-point win over Italy". The42. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  10. "Ireland's U20s stun England in their backyard to edge closer to a grand slam". The42. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  11. "Ireland U-20s Secure Grand Slam With Nine-Try Win Over Scotland". Irish Rugby. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  12. "Eight Munster Players Included In Ireland U20s Squad". Munster Rugby. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  13. "France sweep to bonus-point win on a tough night for the Ireland U20s". The42. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
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