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23rd October 2025
11:21am BST
Hugo Keenan says rival players forget about grudges quickly when they are on Ireland duty, and that players will be ‘laughing’ about recent battles at club level.
Ireland are preparing for a trip to Chicago to face New Zealand on November 1st in the first of four Autumn Internationals, followed by matches against Japan (November 8th), Australia (November 15th) and South Africa (November 22nd) at the Aviva Stadium.
Full-back Keenan will miss Ireland's November schedule after having hip surgery following the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, meaning he was missing for Leinster in their 31-14 defeat by Munster on Saturday at Croke Park.
The match had a fair bit of needle, with Ireland team-mates James Lowe tussling with Jack Crowley on one occasion, but Keenan insists everything is put behind them when they arrive for Ireland duty, similar to Lions players coming together after country rivalries.
Asked about Leinster and Munster’s rivalry now, Keenan told SportsJOE: “They always are [tight, tense affairs], aren’t they? I know it’s been a bit more dominant in our favour recently, but they’re always tough games, they’re always tight, there’s always that edge to it. It’s always a funny one come in day one of camp and the laugh you have with lads you’ve come up against, who you might have had a bit of niggle with.
“But once you’re in Irish camp you’re always working towards the same goal, you’re all driving the team on, and you forget about it pretty quick.
“It’s the same with the Lions, it’s something you nearly have to develop the skill of, and put away little grudges, not hold anything, and do it for the betterment of the team.
“Different people have different ways around it, but you mention James and Jack, we all get on really well in camp, and I’m sure they’ll definitely be laughing about it.”
Irish Rugby player Hugo Keenan speaking as Optimum Nutrition today unveiled a new partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), becoming the Official Performance Nutrition Partner of Irish Rugby.
