Robin Copeland

Robin Copeland (born 23 October 1987) is an Irish rugby union player for Soyaux Angoulême. He plays primarily as a number 8, but has occasionally played as a flanker and lock.

Robin Copeland

Copeland in 2016
Date of birth	(1987-10-23) 23 October 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Wexford, Ireland
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	110 kg (17 st; 240 lb)
School	Kilkenny College
University	Dublin Business School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker, Lock Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 20??–2010 St Mary's College () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010–2011 Plymouth Albion 20 (15) 2011–2012 Rotherham Titans 26 (65) 2012–2014 Cardiff Blues 53 (40) 2014–2018 Munster 71 (60) 2018–2020 Connacht 18 (5) 2020– Soyaux Angoulême 28 (5) Correct as of 19 September 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (0) 2014 Emerging Ireland 3 (10) 2014 Ireland 1 (0) Correct as of 17 November 2014

Career

Cardiff Blues

Copeland joined Cardiff Blues at the beginning of the 2012–13 season.^[1]

Munster

Copeland joined Irish province Munster in July 2014 on a two-year contract.^[2][3] He made his debut for Munster on 12 September 2014, starting against Benetton.^[4][5] He scored his first try for Munster in the game against Leinster on 4 October 2014.^[6] He came on against Saracens in Round 2 of the Champions Cup on 24 October 2014.^[7] Copeland was ruled out for the remainder of the 2014–15 season in February 2015, following a shoulder injury that required stabilisation surgery.^[8] He made his return on 5 September 2015.^[9] In December 2015, Copeland signed a two-year contract extension with Munster.^[10] On 11 November 2016, Copeland won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's historic 27–14 win against the Māori All Blacks.^[11] Copeland left Munster at the end of the 2017–18 season.^[12]

Connacht

Copeland joined Munster's Pro14 rivals Connacht on a two-year contract at the beginning of the 2018–19 season.^[13]

Soyaux Angoulême

Copeland joined French Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême on a three-year contract from the 2020–21 season.^[14]

Ireland

On 14 January 2014, Copeland was named in the preliminary 44-man squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship.^[15] He made his debut for Ireland Wolfhounds when he started for them in their friendly against England Saxons on 25 January 2014.^[16] On 27 January 2014, Copeland was named in Ireland's 34-man squad for the opening two fixtures of the 2014 Six Nations Championship.^[17] Copeland was selected in the Emerging Ireland squad on 26 May 2014.^[18] He started against Russia in their first 2014 IRB Nations Cup match on 13 June 2014, scoring a try.^[19] Copeland came off the bench in their second game against Uruguay on 18 June 2014.^[20] He started in the 31–10 win Romania on 22 June 2014, scoring a try in the win that secured the 2014 IRB Nations Cup for Emerging Ireland.^[21] Copeland was named Player of the Tournament for the 2014 IRB Nations Cup.^[22] Copeland made his senior debut for Ireland on 16 November 2014, coming off the bench in the 49–7 win against Georgia during the 2014 November Tests.^[23]

Honours

Munster A

• British and Irish Cup
  • Winner (1): (2016–17)

Emerging Ireland

• World Rugby Nations Cup
  • Winner (1): (2014)