Craig Casey
Casey representing Munster during the Pro14 Rainbow Cup
Full nameCraig Patrick Casey
Date of birth (1999-04-19) 19 April 1999
Place of birthLimerick, Ireland
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight76 kg (12.0 st; 168 lb)
SchoolArdscoil Rís
Notable relative(s)Mossy Lawler (uncle)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Shannon ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Munster 75 (90)
Correct as of 13 January 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Ireland U20 7 (15)
2021– Ireland 13 (0)
2022 Ireland A 1 (0)
Correct as of 16 September 2023

Craig Patrick Casey (born 19 April 1999) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Munster and the Ireland national team.

Early life

Born in Limerick, Casey captained Ardscoil Rís to the semi-finals of the 2017 Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup,[2] and his performances saw him named in the Munster Schools top XV for 2017,[3] as well as earning representation for Munster and Ireland at under-18 level.[2] He is the nephew of former Shannon and Munster player Mossy Lawler.[1]

Munster

Casey joined the Munster academy ahead of the 2017–18 season,[4] and won the John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year in April 2019.[5] Casey made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their 27–14 win against Connacht in round 21 of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 27 April 2019. Casey had been a late call-up to the bench for Munster after the starting scrum-half, Conor Murray, withdrew during the warm-up and Neil Cronin was promoted to the starting XV.[6] He joined the provinces senior squad ahead of the 2019–20 season on a development contract, before progressing to a full contract ahead of the 2020–21 season.[7]

Casey made his first start for Munster in their 19–14 away win against Connacht in round 8 of the 2019–20 Pro14 on 21 December 2019,[8] and he made his European debut for the province in their 39–22 defeat away to French club Racing 92 in round 5 of the 2019–20 Champions Cup on 12 January 2020.[9] One week later, Casey scored his first try for Munster in their 33–6 win against Welsh side Ospreys, in what was the provinces final pool fixture of the 2019–20 Champions Cup.[10] He signed a two-year contract extension with the province in February 2021.[11] Casey's performances for Munster throughout the 2020–21 season saw him win the clubs Young Player of the Year award.[12] Casey was selected in the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship dream team following his performances for Munster during that season.[13]

Casey signed a three-year contract extension with Munster in September 2022,[14] and earned his 50th cap for the province when he started in their 21–5 home win against Italian side Zebre Parma in round three of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 1 October 2022.[15] He came on as a replacement in Munster's 19–14 win against the Stormers in the final of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 27 May 2023.[16]

Ireland

Casey had been in contention for selection for Ireland under-20s during 2018, but a series of injuries ruled him out.[2] Having overcome his injury issues, Casey was named as vice-captain in the under-20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship,[17] and made three appearances, scoring two tries, during the tournament, which saw Ireland secure a grand slam victory for the first time since 2007.[18][19][20][21] He was retained as vice-captain in the under-20s squad for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship when it was confirmed in May 2019.[22]

When head coach Andy Farrell announced the Ireland squad for their two remaining 2020 Six Nations Championship fixtures in October, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Casey was one of six players who, though not being called up to the squad, would train alongside it.[23] Casey earned his first senior international call up in January 2021, when Andy Farrell announced the Ireland squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship,[24] and he made his senior debut against Italy in round 3 on 27 February 2021, coming on as a replacement for Jamison Gibson-Park in Ireland's 48–10 away win. Ireland captain Johnny Sexton remarked after the game that Casey's attitude reminded him of former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.[25]

Casey made his first start for Ireland in their mid-year test against the United States on 10 July 2021, which Ireland won 71–10,[26] and featured off the bench in the 53–7 win against Argentina in Ireland's final fixture of the 2021 Autumn Nations Series on 21 November.[27] Casey's only appearance in the 2022 Six Nations Championship came as a replacement during Ireland's 57–6 home win against Italy on 27 February.[28] Ireland went to claim the Triple Crown after defeating Scotland 26–5 at home in the final round of the tournament on 19 March.[29]

Casey was selected in the squad for the 2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand,[30] and started in the uncapped match against the Māori All Blacks on 29 June, which ended in a 32–17 defeat for Ireland,[31] and also started in the second uncapped match against the Māori All Blacks on 12 July, which ended in a 30–24 win for Ireland.[32] He captained Ireland A in their 47–19 defeat against an All Blacks XV on 4 November 2022,[33] and featured as a substitute for Ireland during their 35–17 win against Fiji on 12 November[34] and their 13–10 win against Australia on 19 November during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.[35]

After Jamison Gibson-Park pulled out before kick-off due to injury, Casey was promoted to the bench for Ireland's opening fixture of the 2023 Six Nations Championship against Wales on 4 February, replacing Conor Murray during the second-half of Ireland's 34–10 away win.[36] With Gibson-Park also ruled out of the round two fixture against France on 11 February, Casey retained his place on the bench and replaced Conor Murray during the second-half of Ireland's 32–19 win,[37] before being promoted to the starting XV in Ireland's 34–20 away win against Italy in round three on 25 February.[38] Ireland went on win the grand slam.[39]

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Casey started for Ireland in their 33–17 win against Italy on 5 August but had to leave the field with an injury early in the second-half.[40] He returned from injury to feature as a replacement in Ireland's 17–13 win against Samoa on 26 August[41] and was selected in Ireland's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[42] Casey made his World Cup debut for Ireland in their 59–16 win against Tonga in their second pool game on 16 September.[43][44]

Statistics

International analysis by opposition

Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Points  % Won
 Australia110000100
 Argentina110000100
 Fiji110000100
 France110000100
 Italy440000100
 Japan110000100
 Samoa110000100
 Tonga110000100
 United States110000100
 Wales110000100
Total13130000100

Correct as of 16 September 2023[45]

Honours

Munster

Ireland under-20s

Ireland

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "'Craig is such a great talent' - 20-year-old Casey gets Munster debut". The42. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Munster scrum-half Casey ready for big chance after 14-month injury hell". The42. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Outstanding PBC centre French leads the way for class of 2017". Irish Independent. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  4. ↑ "Getting To Know Our New Academy Recruits". Munster Rugby. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  5. 1 2 "O'Mahony Named Munster Player Of The Year". Munster Rugby. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Report | Munster Set Up Benetton Quarter-Final". Munster Rugby. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "Beirne And Casey Commit To Province". Munster Rugby. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  8. ↑ "Report | Munster Win At The Sportsground". Munster Rugby. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  9. ↑ "Report | Late Tries Deny Munster In Paris". Munster Rugby. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "Report | Five-Try Win For Munster Over Ospreys". Munster Rugby. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  11. ↑ "Player Contract Extensions Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Munster Rugby Awards 2021". Munster Rugby. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Craig Casey & Jean Kleyn On URC Dream Team". Munster Rugby. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Player Contract Extensions Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Report | Munster Beat Zebre At Musgrave Park". Munster Rugby. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Magical Munster see off Stormers to win URC title and end trophy drought". Irish Examiner. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Hawkshaw To Captain Ireland Under-20s As Squad Is Announced". Irish Rugby. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "Foley Try Seals Unforgettable Cork Debut For Ireland Under-20s". Irish Rugby. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  19. ↑ "Ireland Under-20s Stay Top After Bonus Point Raid In Rieti". Irish Rugby. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  20. ↑ "Ireland Under-20s Dethrone France To Guarantee Six Nations Title Win". Irish Rugby. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  21. ↑ "Ireland Under-20s Complete Grand Slam Mission With Bonus Point Flourish". Irish Rugby. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  22. ↑ "Ireland U-20 Squad Confirmed Ahead of Departure to Argentina". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  23. ↑ "Farrell includes six uncapped players in Ireland squad as Sexton retains captaincy". The42. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  24. ↑ "Uncapped Casey and O'Toole included in Ireland's Six Nations squad". The42. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  25. ↑ "'His attitude reminds me of what I read about Wilkinson' - Casey and Baird debut". The42. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  26. ↑ "Ten-try Ireland cruise past USA as Ronan Kelleher scores four and debutants shine". RTÉ Sport. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Farrell's Ireland finish autumn in style with battering of Argentina". The42. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Ireland rack up 57 points after red card forces Italy down to 13 players". The42. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "Ireland claim Triple Crown by beating Scots as all eyes now turn towards Paris". The42. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  30. ↑ "Andy Farrell Names 40-Player Squad For New Zealand Tour". Munster Rugby. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "Ireland's tour gets off to a terrible start after Maori All Blacks stun visitors". The42. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  32. ↑ "Four-Try Ireland Maintain Winning Momentum In Wellington". Irish Rugby. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  33. ↑ "All Blacks XV tear up the RDS on a painful night for Farrell's Ireland A". The42. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  34. ↑ "Timoney double helps Farrell's Ireland to scrappy win over 14-man Fiji". The42. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "Byrne's late penalty sees Ireland scrape past Wallabies in Dublin". The42. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "Farrell's Ireland get Six Nations tilt rolling with bonus-point win in Cardiff". The42. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  37. ↑ "Sublime Ireland notch bonus-point win after Six Nations epic against France". The42. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  38. ↑ "Ireland's Grand Slam bid rolls on with bonus-point win over exciting Italy". The42. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  39. ↑ "Ireland finish over the top of England to claim glorious Grand Slam". The42. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  40. ↑ "Far from perfect but Ireland get World Cup journey started with a win". Irish Examiner. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  41. ↑ "Disjointed Ireland scrape past Samoa but injury fears for Cian Healy". Irish Examiner. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  42. ↑ "Farrell Names 33-Player Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad". Irish Rugby. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  43. ↑ "Ireland Team Named To Face Tonga In Nantes". Irish Rugby. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  44. ↑ "Sexton breaks record in show of strength from eight-try Ireland". Irish Examiner. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  45. ↑ Craig Casey, ESPN Scrum 28 February 2021
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