William Roche (rugby union)

William Joseph Roche (28 March 1895 in Limerick, Ireland – 26 June 1983 in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland) was an Irish rugby union player who represented Munster, Ireland and the British Lions. He also played club rugby for both University College Cork and Newport.

William Roche

Birth name	William Joseph Roche
Date of birth	28 March 1895
Place of birth	Limerick Ireland
Date of death	26 June 1983
Place of death	Bandon, County Cork Ireland
University	University College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 19xx-19xx 1920-1927 University College Cork Newport () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Munster () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1920 1924 Ireland British Lions 3 0 0(3) 0(0)

Club career

Between 1920 and 1927 Roche played club rugby for Newport and was captain during the 1926-27 season. In 1926 he captained the club against the New Zealand Māoris in a game which ended in a 0-0 draw.^[1]

Rugby international

Ireland

Roche won 3 caps for Ireland during the 1920 Five Nations Championship. He made his debut against England at Lansdowne Road on 14 February in a 14-11 defeat. He then played against Scotland on 28 February at Inverleith in a 19-0 defeat. He won his final cap against France on 3 April in a 15-7 defeat at Lansdowne. While playing for Ireland, his teammates included Ernie Crawford.^[2][3]

British Lions

Roche was also selected for the British Lions squad for their 1924 tour of South Africa. However he did not play in any of the Test matches against South Africa.^[4][5]

References

1. Newport RFC player profiles
2. www.irishrugby.ie
3. www.irishrugby.ie
4. www.munsterlions.com
5. www.lionsrugby.com

Rugby Union Captain
Preceded by Harold Davies	Newport RFC Captain 1926-1927	Succeeded by Vince Griffiths