Niall Smyth (born July 9, 2005) is an Irish

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

player who operates as a tight‑head prop in the

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

system. A former soccer standout in New York, he transitioned to rugby during his teenage years and was promoted to Leinster’s senior squad in 2025.

Early life

Smyth was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

and grew up playing soccer, even marking Manchester United youth star Kobbie Mainoo in a state‑level match. Moving to Ireland and enrolling at

Blackrock College Blackrock College () is a voluntary day and boarding Catholic secondary school for boys aged 13–18, in Williamstown, Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland. It was founded by French missionary Jules Leman in 1860 as a school and later became al ...

led him to take up rugby.

Professional career

Leinster

Smyth joined the Leinster Academy ahead of the 2024–25 season. He signed his first senior contract in early 2025. He featured for Leinster 'A' in the Interprovincial Championship but is yet to make his senior debut.

Playing style

At 118 kg and 1.91 m tall, Smyth brings notable physicality to the loosehead position. Former Ireland prop Bernard Jackman described him as “the next Tadhg Furlong”.

References

External links

EPCR profile

Ultimate Rugby profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smyth, Niall 2005 births Living people Irish rugby union players Leinster Rugby players Rugby union props People educated at Blackrock College