Craig Casey

Craig Casey (born 19 April 1999) is an Irish rugby union player for Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup Munster. Internationally, Casey made his senior debut for Ireland in 2021. He plays as a scrum-half and represents Shannon in the All-Ireland League.
Early life.
Born in Limerick, Casey captained Ardscoil Rís to the semi-finals of the 2017 Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup, and his performances saw him named in the Munster Schools top XV for 2017, as well as earning representation for Munster and Ireland at under-18 level. He is the nephew of former Shannon and Munster player Mossy Lawler.
Munster.
Casey joined the Munster academy ahead of the 2017–18 season, and won the "John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year" in April 2019. Casey made his senior competitive debut for Munster in their 27–14 win against Connacht in round 21 of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 27 April 2019. Casey had been a late call-up to the bench for Munster after the starting scrum-half, Conor Murray, withdrew during the warm-up and Neil Cronin was promoted to the starting XV. He joined the provinces senior squad ahead of the 2019–20 season on a development contract, before progressing to a full contract ahead of the 2020–21 season.
Casey made his first start for Munster in their 19–14 away win against Connacht in round 8 of the 2019–20 Pro14 on 21 December 2019, and he made his European debut for the province in their 39–22 defeat away to French club Racing 92 in round 5 of the 2019–20 Champions Cup on 12 January 2020. One week later, Casey scored his first try for Munster in their 33–6 win against Welsh side Ospreys, in what was the provinces final pool fixture of the 2019–20 Champions Cup. He signed a two-year contract extension with the province in February 2021.
Ireland.
Casey had been in contention for selection for Ireland under-20s during 2018, but a series of injuries ruled him out. Having overcome his injury issues, Casey was named as vice-captain in the under-20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and made three appearances, scoring two tries, during the tournament, which saw Ireland secure a grand slam victory for the first time since 2007. He was retained as vice-captain in the under-20s squad for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship when it was confirmed in May 2019.
When head coach Andy Farrell announced the Ireland squad for their two remaining 2020 Six Nations Championship fixtures in October, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Casey was one of six players who, though not being called up to the squad, would train alongside it. Casey earned his first senior international call up in January 2021, when Andy Farrell announced the Ireland squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship, and he made his senior debut against Italy in round 3 on 27 February 2021, coming on as a replacement for Jamison Gibson-Park in Ireland's 48–10 away win. Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton remarked after the game that Casey's attitude reminded him of England legend Jonny Wilkinson.
Statistics.
International analysis by opposition.
Correct as of 27 February 2021