John Poland

John Poland (born 21 November 1996) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR).

John Poland
Date of birth (1996-11-21) 21 November 1996
Place of birthBallinora, Cork, Ireland
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight80 kg (13 st; 180 lb)
SchoolPresentation Brothers College
UniversityUniversity College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Current team New England Free Jacks
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
20??–2015
2015–2017
2017–2019		 Sundays Well
Cork Constitution
UCC		 ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018
2019–		 Munster
New England Free Jacks		 1
5		 (0)
(20)
Correct as of 30 December 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 Ireland U20 5 (0)
Correct as of 18 March 2016

Early life

Born in Ballinora, County Cork, Poland first played rugby for Sundays Well, where his father had also been a player, and attended Presentation Brothers College, captaining the team during the Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup. He also played Hurling and Football for Ballinora GAA where he played on several intercounty development sides. Initially, he played as a fly-half or centre, before converting to scrum-half. Poland has been capped at Under-19 and Under-20 level for Ireland, and joined the Munster sub-academy in July 2015.[1]

Club rugby

Poland played his club rugby with Cork Constitution during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, winning several trophies while there. He moved to UCC ahead of the 2017–18 season and was an integral part of the side that was promoted to the division 1A of the All-Ireland League for the 2018–19 season.

Professional career

Munster

Poland was an integral part of the Munster A team that won the 2016–17 British and Irish Cup. He was used as a replacement in round 1 against London Welsh, missed the round 3 clash against Rotherham Titans due to exam commitments, was used as a replacement again in round 4 against Rotherham, before starting against Doncaster Knights in the rescheduled round 2 and round 5, Ulster A in the quarter-final, Ealing Trailfinders in the semi-final and Jersey Reds in the final.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Poland made his senior competitive debut for Munster on 10 February 2018, coming off the bench in the provinces' 33–5 win against Zebre in the 2017–18 Pro14.[10]

New England Free Jacks

Poland joined American Major League Rugby side New England Free Jacks in October 2019 upon concluding his degree in finance at University College Cork, in time for the sides inaugural season in 2020. He scored four tries in the 5 regular season games and had 4 try assists. Poland scored a brilliant individual try which was awarded try of the week in week 4. [11]

Ireland

Poland was capped for Ireland U20 during the 2016 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, earning the Man-of-the-Match award during the sides opening 35–24 loss to Wales U20 on 5 February 2016.[12]

Honours

Munster A

Cork Constitution

University College Cork

References
  1. "The Future is Bright: John Poland (1st Year Academy)". Irish Independent. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  2. "London Welsh Prove Too Strong In Midleton". Munster Rugby. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  3. "Munster A Take Maximum Points In Rotherham". Munster Rugby. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. "Munster A Continue Winning Ways In Ennis". Munster Rugby. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. "Munster A Bag Bonus Point In Doncaster". Munster Rugby. 7 January 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. "Munster A Secure Home Quarter Final". Munster Rugby. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. "Munster A Progress To Semis". Munster Rugby. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. "Munster A Secure Home B&I Cup Final". Munster Rugby. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. "Munster A Claim B&I Cup Title After Cork Rollercoaster". Munster Rugby. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  10. "Bonus-Point Win Over Zebre". Munster Rugby. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  11. "Ex-Munster scrum-half Poland among five Irish in Free Jacks squad". The42. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  12. "Ireland Under-20s Beaten By Wales In Thrilling Seven-Try Clash". Irish Rugby. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
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