Gaining his first full cap for the Ireland national team which played Wales in the 1987 Rugby World Cup,[3] he went on to win 30 caps for Ireland.[4] In total he played in three Rugby World Cups, at 1987, 1991 and 1995 where he was captain of the Irish team. He is also a former Munster Rugby player, and was captain of the Munster team that beat Australia (the then Rugby World Cup holders) in 1992.[3] He retired from representative rugby in 1996.[3]