Josh Wycherley

Josh Wycherley

Date of birth	(1999-07-22) 22 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Bantry, Ireland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	108 kg (17.0 st; 238 lb)
School	Cistercian College
Notable relative(s)	Fineen Wycherley (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Young Munster () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2020– Munster 69 (15) Correct as of 28 September 2024 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2019 Ireland U20 10 (15) 2022 Emerging Ireland 3 (5) Correct as of 9 October 2022

Josh Wycherley (born 22 July 1999) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a prop for United Rugby Championship club Munster.

Early life

Born in Bantry, Cork, Wycherley first began playing rugby with Bantry Bay RFC, and, like older brother Fineen, attended Cistercian College, Roscrea, before going on to represent Ireland at under-18 and under-19 level. ^[1] He also played full forward in both hurling and football for St. Colum's. ^[2]

Munster

Though he wasn't included in the initial Munster academy intake ahead of the 2018–19 season, ^[3] Wycherley was later added to the squad in December 2018, having made four appearances for Munster A in the 2018–19 Celtic Cup. ^[1] Wycherley made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their 2020–21 Pro14 round 3 fixture against Welsh side Cardiff Blues on 26 October 2020, coming on as a replacement for James Cronin in the 69th minute in the provinces 38–27 win. ^[4] He made his first start for Munster in their 28–16 win against Dragons on 1 November 2020, ^[5] and Wycherley made his Champions Cup debut for the province in their opening fixture of the 2020–21 competition against English side Harlequins on 13 December 2020, coming on as a replacement in Munster's 21–7 home win. ^[6]

Wycherley made his first start for Munster in their historic 39–31 away win against French side Clermont in round 2 of the 2020–21 Champions Cup on 19 December 2020, ^[7] earning widespread praise for his performance against French veteran prop Rabah Slimani. ^{[8] [9]} He joined the senior squad on a two-year contract from the 2021–22 season, ^[10] and scored his first try for the province in their 34–17 away win against Italian side Zebre Parma in round 11 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship on 29 January 2022. ^[11] Wycherley signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in September 2022, ^[12] and started in Munster's historic 28–14 win against a South Africa XV in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 10 November 2022. ^[13] He came on as a replacement in Munster's 19–14 win against the Stormers in the final of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship on 27 May 2023. ^[14]

Ireland

Selected in the Ireland under-20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, ^[15] Wycherley started the wins against England, ^[16] Scotland, ^[17] Italy, ^[18] France, against whom Wycherley scored two tries and won the Man-of-the-Match award, ^[19] and Wales, as Ireland secured their first grand slam in the tournament since 2007. ^[20] He was retained in the under-20s squad for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship when it was confirmed in May 2019. ^[21]

Wycherley was selected in the Emerging Ireland squad that travelled to South Africa to participate in the Toyota Challenge against Currie Cup teams Free State Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas in September–October 2022. ^[22] He started and scored one try in Emerging Ireland's 54–7 opening win against Griquas on 30 September, ^[23] before featuring as a replacement in the 28–24 win against the Pumas on 5 October ^[24] and the 21–14 win against the Cheetahs on 9 October. ^[25]

Honours

Munster

• United Rugby Championship
  • Winner (1): 2022–23

Ireland under-20s

• Six Nations Under 20s Championship :
  • Winner (1): 2019
• Grand Slam :
  • Winner (1): 2019
• Triple Crown :
  • Winner (1): 2019

References

1. "Academy Update | December 2018". Munster Rugby. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
2. "'We're keen on playing with pace and moving England around as much as we possibly can'". The42 . 1 February 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
3. "Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
4. "Report | Five-Try Munster Make It Three Wins From Three". Munster Rugby. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
5. "Report | Munster Make It Four From Four Against Dragons". Munster Rugby. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
6. "Report | Munster Make Winning Start To Champions Cup". Munster Rugby. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
7. "Match Report | Munster Secure Dramatic Comeback Victory In Clermont". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
8. "There's no stopping the Wycherley brothers". The Southern Star . 23 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
9. "Graham Rowntree: Young guns have pulled Munster along". Irish Examiner . 25 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
10. "Player Signing, Contract Extensions & Academy Promotions". Munster Rugby. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
11. "Report | Munster Claim Bonus Point Victory In Italy". Munster Rugby. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
12. "Player Contract Extensions Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
13. "Report | Munster Secure Historic Victory Over SA Select XV". Munster Rugby. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
14. "Magical Munster see off Stormers to win URC title and end trophy drought". Irish Examiner . 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
15. "Hawkshaw To Captain Ireland Under-20s As Squad Is Announced". Irish Rugby. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
16. "Foley Try Seals Unforgettable Cork Debut For Ireland Under-20s". Irish Rugby. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
17. "Ireland Under-20s Run In Three Tries In Netherdale Victory". Irish Rugby. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
18. "Ireland Under-20s Stay Top After Bonus Point Raid In Rieti". Irish Rugby. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
19. "Ireland Under-20s Dethrone France To Guarantee Six Nations Title Win". Irish Rugby. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
20. "Ireland Under-20s Complete Grand Slam Mission With Bonus Point Flourish". Irish Rugby. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
21. "Ireland U-20 Squad Confirmed Ahead of Departure to Argentina". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
22. "Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Bloemfontein Trip". Munster Rugby. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
23. "Crowley impresses at 10 as Emerging Ireland hammer the Griquas". The42 . 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
24. "Emerging Ireland survive late scare to seal second win in South Africa". The42 . 5 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
25. "Emerging Ireland hold off Cheetahs to wrap up unbeaten tour of South Africa". The42 . 9 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.

External links

• Josh Wycherley at ESPNscrum
• Josh Wycherley at ItsRugby.co.uk
• Munster Senior Profile
• Munster Academy Profile
• U20 Six Nations Profile
• Josh Wycherley at European Professional Club Rugby
• URC Profile