Hugo Keenan

Hugo Keenan

Keenan representing Ireland during the Six Nations Championship
Date of birth	(1996-06-18) 18 June 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	92 kg (203 lb; 14 st 7 lb)
School	Blackrock College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing Current team Leinster Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016– Leinster 63 (65) Correct as of 25 February 2024 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016 Ireland U20 10 (5) 2020– Ireland 42 (60) Correct as of 30 November 2024[1] National sevens team Years Team Comps 2017– Ireland 17 Correct as of 19 December 2020

Hugo Keenan (born 18 June 1996) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

Early life

Keenan attended secondary school at Blackrock College. There he was a member of the team that won the 2014 Leinster Schools Senior Cup, with Keenan noted for his running and passing,[2] including scoring a try in the final.[3]

Professional career

Leinster

Keenan debuted for Leinster in 2016 against Zebre.[4]

Ireland U20 and 7s

Keenan played wing for the Ireland under-20 national rugby union team. Keenan started all matches for the Ireland under-20 team during the 2016 under-20 Six Nations. He also started all matches in the 2016 World Rugby under-20 Championship, including Ireland's historic victory over New Zealand.[5][6]

Keenan was called into the Ireland national rugby sevens team camp in early 2017.[7][8] Keenan was part of the Ireland sevens team during the 2017 Grand Prix Series. He scored several tries during Ireland's win at the 2017 Moscow Sevens, including a crucial try in Ireland's 28–21 semifinal win over Russia.[9]

Keenan was called up to the Sevens Team for the 2023/24 Madrid Grand Final

In June 2024 Keenan was called up to the 2024 Olympics Squad.[10][11]

Ireland

Keenan makes a break during Ireland's 2023 Six Nations match with Italy

Keenan during Ireland's 2023 Six Nations match with Italy

Keenan standing for the anthem during the 2023 Six Nations

Keenan debuted for Ireland on 24 October 2020 in a Six Nations match against Italy, where he started on the wing and scored two tries in a 50–17 win.[12] Keenan then started Ireland's next 17 internationals (2020–2022), scoring tries against Georgia, Italy, USA, England and New Zealand. Keenan was recognized for his strong performance in Ireland’s win against England in the 2022 Six Nations.[13] Keenan was described in March 2022 as the heir to Rob Kearney at fullback for Ireland.[14]

Playing style

Known for his defence, aerial skills and cunning ability to pick up loose kicks and engineer attacking plays for his team, 'The Fox' is considered one of the best fullbacks in the world.^[citation needed]

Career statistics

List of international tries

Number	Position	Points	Tries	Result	Opposition	Venue	Date	Ref.
1–2	Wing	10	2	Won	Italy	Aviva Stadium	24 October 2020	[15]
3	Wing	5	1	Won	Georgia	Aviva Stadium	29 November 2020	[16]
4	Fullback	5	1	Won	Italy	Stadio Olimpico	27 February 2021	[17]
5	Fullback	5	1	Won	United States	Aviva Stadium	10 July 2021	[18]
6	Fullback	5	1	Won	England	Twickenham Stadium	12 March 2022	[19]
7	Fullback	5	1	Won	New Zealand	Sky Stadium	16 July 2022	[20]
8	Fullback	5	1	Won	France	Aviva Stadium	11 February 2023	[21]
9	Fullback	5	1	Won	Italy	Stadio Olimpico	25 February 2023	[22]
10	Fullback	5	1	Won	Romania	Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux	9 September 2023	[23]
11-12	Fullback	10	2	Won	Scotland	Stade de France	7 October 2023	[24]

as of 20 November 2023^[update]

Honours

Leinster

• 4× Pro14: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Ireland

• 2× Six Nations Championship: 2023, 2024
• 1× Grand Slam: 2023
• 2× Triple Crown: 2022, 2023

Individual

• 2x Six Nations Team of the Championship: 2022, 2023

References

1. "Hugo Keenan". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
2. Cummiskey, Gavin (3 March 2014). "Blackrock College produce a blueprint performance against Newbride College". The Irish Times.
3. "Rock reign again as Clongowes denied in the Leinster Senior Cup final". The 42. 16 March 2015.
4. "Who is Hugo Keenan: Ten things you should know about the Ireland back". 12 March 2021.
5. Fallon, John (24 June 2016). "Leinster academy's Keenan out to top U20 ever-present status with world medal". The 42.
6. O'Sullivan, John (13 June 2016). "History Boys: The Irish Under-20 squad that defeated New Zealand". The Irish Times.
7. "Ireland Men's Sevens squad – Leinster Academy players Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy and Jack Power involved". Sports News Ireland. 17 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
8. "Ireland Men's Sevens Squad Confirmed For Lodz 7s". Irish Rugby. 8 June 2017.
9. "Cup Win Ensures Ireland Men Begin Sevens Series With A Bang". 4 June 2017.
10. "Ireland Sevens Squads Confirmed For 2024 Paris Olympics". Irish Rugby. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
11. "Ireland - Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Paris 2024". www.world.rugby. 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
12. "Six Nations 2020: Debutants among tries as Ireland beat Italy 50-17 to go top". BBC Sport. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
13. "Three England stars join Hugo Keenan in Six Nations 'Team of the Week'". 14 March 2022.
14. "It took a while to find Rob Kearney's heir but immense Keenan now totally at home". 14 March 2022.
15. Bennett, Charlie (24 October 2020). "SUPER SCOTLAND END FRANCE'S GRAND SLAM BID". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
16. "Burns and Keenan ensure Ireland see off Georgia". Autumn Nations Series. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
17. Baker, Luke (27 February 2021). "CONNORS DOUBLE HELPS IMPRESSIVE IRELAND TO BONUS-POINT TRIUMPH IN ROME". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
18. "Kelleher Equals Try Record As New-Look Ireland Shine". Irish Rugby. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
19. Bennett, Charlie (12 March 2022). "CONAN AND BEALHAM SEAL THRILLING IRELAND WIN". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
20. Morrow, Michael (16 July 2022). "New Zealand 22-32 Ireland: Sensational visitors claim remarkable 2-1 series win". BBC. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
21. Eddison, Paul (11 February 2023). "AWESOME IRELAND SEE OFF FRANCE IN EPIC BATTLE". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
22. "IRELAND STAY PERFECT WITH NERVY WIN OVER ITALY". Six Nations Rugby. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
23. "No. 1 Ireland rout Romania 82-8 in Rugby World Cup opener". espnscrum. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
24. "IRE 36-14 SCO: Ireland send Scotland home to set up All Blacks date in last eight". World Rugby. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

External links

• Hugo Keenan at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series (archived)
• Hugo Keenan at European Professional Club Rugby
• Hugo Keenan at Irish Rugby Football Union
• Hugo Keenan at ESPNscrum
• Hugo Keenan at ItsRugby.co.uk
• Hugo Keenan at European Professional Club Rugby
• Leinster Profile
• Pro14 Profile