- Date of Birth08 / 01 / 1992
- Lions Tours2021, 2025
- International CapsIreland (61 caps)
- Lions Origin SchoolsClongowes Wood College
- Lions Origin ClubsNaas, Munster, Scarlets, Lansdowne, Llandovery, Leinster, Munster
Tadhg Beirne embarked on a second British & Irish Lions Tour in 2025 having established himself as one of the finest forwards.
The versatile Irishman, primarily a lock, started in the back row in all three tests against Australia and played a key role in the 2-1 series win in which he won Player of the Series.
He also captained the tourists on several occasions during the warm-up matches and scored in the famous second Test win at the MCG.
Beirne made his non-Test debut in 2021 against Japan in a 28-10 victory and later scored twice in a victory over the Sharks.
The second row or back row went on to come off the bench for each of the three Tests against South Africa in 2021.
Beirne won his first Six Nations title as Ireland won the Grand Slam in 2023 before he helped his country retain their crown in 2024.
He made his second Rugby World Cup squad in 2023, having also represented Ireland at the 2019 edition, and played in all of Ireland’s matches as they reached the quarter-finals.
Domestically, Beirne won the United Rugby Championship with Munster in 2023 and was named captain of the province in 2024.
Beirne’s stature within the world game has been recognised by two inclusions in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in both 2022 and 2024.
The 33-year-old made his international debut against Australia in 2018, having earned nine caps at Under-20 level.
Beirne was born in Eadestown, Co. Kildare and progressed through the Leinster academy while also appearing for Lansdowne Rugby Club, having initially played football as a child.
The second row delivered pizza, coached youth teams and appeared as a body double for fellow Lion Paul O’Connell in an advert to make ends meet before turning professional.
"I was doing a little side gig, trying to get a bit money," he says. "I had to make a living somehow.
“As an Irishman, everyone loves Paul O'Connell. His leadership qualities, his devotion to Ireland and the Lions - he put everything into the jersey.
"Every kid would have looked up to him growing up and I was certainly one of them.
He made his Leinster debut in 2015 and spent two years at Scarlets, where he won the United Rugby Championship in 2017 before moving to Munster a year later.