Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Peter Murray to retire from Ireland international rugby at end of Six Nations
Updated 28/02/2025 at 09:17 GMT
It is the end of an era for Ireland as Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray have announced they will all retire from international rugby following this year’s Six Nations. The three Irish stalwarts have all earned more than 100 caps in green and each boast five Six Nations titles. Ireland top the table with three wins from three in 2025 and are favourites to complete the Grand Slam.
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Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray have announced they will retire from international rugby at the end of this year’s Six Nations.
The trio of Irish legends have all been part of five winning Six Nations squads and have earned more than 100 caps each.
O’Mahony is a former captain, while Healy recently eclipsed Brian O’Driscoll as the most capped Ireland player in history.
Scrum-half Murray has decided to "pursue a playing opportunity abroad" once his current contract with Munster ends in July.
"Since joining the Ireland coaching team back in 2014, it has been a privilege to work with Peter, Cian and Conor," said Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby.
"They have each played a huge role in the success of Irish rugby over the course of their careers and they continue to inspire their teammates around them.
"Watching how openly they engage with players in their own position and continue to add value around the set-up is testament to their collective character and they are also adding real value on the pitch.
"Knowing each of the guys, they will be focused on achieving even more success this season and we are determined as a group to end their careers with Ireland on a high over these last two rounds."
O’Mahony, 35, considered retirement after captaining Ireland to victory in the 2024 Six Nations triumph but decided to prolong his career in green.
He has won 112 caps since making his Test debut against Italy in 2012 and played a big part in wins over Scotland and Wales having been left out of the matchday squad for Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England.
He also played in three successive Rugby World Cups in 2015, 2019 and 2023, and captained the British and Irish Lions in the first Test of their 2017 Tour of New Zealand.
"It's been an unbelievable journey and I consider myself very lucky, but the job isn't done and we have a big couple of weeks ahead." O'Mahony said in a video message on X.
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Healy earned his 134th cap during the Autumn Nations Series win over Australia, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Brian O’Driscoll, and has also featured in two of Ireland’s three wins as they go for the Grand Slam and a third successive title.
Meanwhile, Murray’s 124 caps places him joint-fourth on the all-time list alongside Rory Best and behind only Healy, O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara.
The scrum-half is also a three-time British and Irish Lion, having been picked for the Tours of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 2013, 2017 and 2021 respectively.
Ireland host France at the Aviva Stadium in round four of the Six Nations on March 8 before facing Italy in Rome on Super Saturday.
O'Connell says Ireland will not rely on emotion against Les Bleus
Paul O'Connell played alongside the trio throughout his career, and he doubts that the emotion of their impending retirement will impact the final result.
The Ireland forwards coach won two Six Nations Championships while competing alongside O'Mahony, Murray and Healy.
He insists that his players are focussed on getting the job down against Les Bleus next Saturday.
"Boys don't rely on emotion massively," he said.
"It's the icing on the cake rather than the whole cake these days. I don't think we'll be using it for emotion or to help us win the game.
"It's more about marking their contribution.
"It hasn't always been easy for them.
"They've had to keep coming back and keep fighting for their place.
"Pete has been in and out in the last few years, same with Conor Murray, Cian has had to reinvent himself and figure out a way to stay part of the group."
"As I said, how much they enjoy it adds to the whole enjoyment for all the players and coaches.
"They've had to work really hard so it's about marking their contribution rather than using it as any motivation for us.
"I just don't think we need it for this weekend, we're good when we know how important it is and how serious the occasion is, but we're good when we're nice and clear as well and calm under pressure."
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