Keith Wood was the archetypal livewire hooker. True to tradition he was always ready to put his body on the line in the most fierce of forward clashes but, more than that, he was extraordinarily nimble and skilful in all aspects of the game. Fifteen test match tries, including an unprecedented four in one game against the USA in 1999, bear testimony to his qualities and he was also the heart and soul of successive Ireland and British Isles teams for the best part of a decade. He comes from good Munster front row stock - his late father Gordon won 29 caps as a prop and played two tests for the 1959 Lions in New Zealand. The younger Wood brought further distinguished service to the national cause. He holds the record as the most capped Irish hooker and the longest-serving captain and also played in three World Cup tournaments. With the Lions in South Africa in 1997 and again in Australia in 2001 he was a talisman, one of Martin Johnson’s unofficial lieutenants who, to his captain’s undoubted approval, was always first to take the battle to the opposition.

Greatest Moment

As well as captaining Ireland 33 times Keith was appointed captain for the opening match of the 2001 Lions tour against Western Australia - the team won 116-10.

Interesting Facts

In 1994 Keith was part of all-Irish front row that helped the Barbarians beat the Springboks for the second time; thirty-three years earlier his father Gordon had packed down with two other Irishmen when the Baa-Baas had first defeated the Springboks.

Career Status

1994-2003

Test Caps
Test Points
Test tries
Penalties
Conversions
Drop Goals