Niall Smyth
{{short description|Irish rugby union player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Niall Smyth
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Niall Smyth
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2005|7|9}}
| birth_place = New York City, United States
| height = {{height|m=1.91}}
| weight = {{convert|118|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = Tight‑head prop
| years1 = 2024–
| clubs1 = Leinster
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| ru_clubupdate = 16 June 2025
| repyears1 =
| repteam1 =
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| school = Blackrock College
| university =
}}
Niall Smyth (born July 9, 2005) is an Irish rugby union player who operates as a tight‑head prop in the Leinster 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 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 led him to take up rugby.{{cite news|url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/2025/05/13/niall-smyth-i-played-football-against-some-high-profile-teams-like-man-united-i-marked-kobbie-mainoo/|title=Niall Smyth: “I played football against some high-profile teams like Man United — I marked Kobbie Mainoo”}}
Professional career
=Leinster=
Smyth joined the Leinster Academy ahead of the 2024–25 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/08/06/leinsters-academy-intake-includes-eight-ireland-u-20-mens-internationals/|title=Leinster’s Academy intake includes eight Ireland U‑20 men’s internationals|work=Irish Rugby|date=6 August 2024|accessdate=16 June 2025}} He signed his first senior contract in early 2025.{{cite news|url=https://x.com/leinsterrugby/status/1900573887902920707|title=Former Blackrock College student, Niall Smyth is turning pro|work=Leinster Rugby X}}{{Better citation needed|date=June 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”.{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/news/niall-smyth-bernard-jackman-tadhg-furlong-rugby-620416|title=Jackman claims Leinster prop Niall Smyth will be 'next Tadhg Furlong'|work=Balls.ie}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/clubs/leinster/niall-smyth EPCR profile]
- [https://www.ultimaterugby.com/niall-smyth Ultimate Rugby profile]
{{Leinster Rugby squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smyth, Niall}}
Category:Irish rugby union players