Tadhg Beirne lone Irishman in World Rugby Team of the Year as Springboks dominate

Tadhg Beirne, Ireland's iron man, was chosen for the World team of the year. Picture: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Simon Lewis Tadhg Beirne is the lone Irishman in World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year for 2025, a line-up dominated by six South Africans.

It is the second year in a row that the Munster and Ireland lock/flanker has received the honour for the game’s global governing body and this time represents a recognition of a body of work that saw Beirne named player of the series for the British & Irish Lions as well as winning a Triple Crown in last spring’s Six Nations.