Ian Humphreys
Encyclopedia
Ian Humphreys is a Irish
rugby union
footballer, who plays at fly-half (usually called "out half" in Ireland) for Ulster
in the RaboDirect Pro12. He rejoined Ulster in 2008 from Leicester Tigers
having previously played for Ulster at under 21 level where he captained them during the 2002/03 season and has also represented Ireland at U19, U21 and 'A' level, and captained the Irish side at the Rugby World Cup Sevens
tournament in Hong Kong
in March 2005. He had previously been named player of the tournament for the European Sevens qualifier in Poland.
He is the younger brother of retired Ulster fly-half David Humphreys.
Humphreys joined Leicester Tigers
in 2005 from Belfast Harlequins
. His first outing in Tigers stripes was at the Middlesex Sevens Tournament at Twickenham in August. During October 2006 Humphreys was loaned out to first division Leeds
where he made 4 appearances, scoring 2 tries and a drop goal. On his return to the Leicester first team he guided the Tigers to a victory away at Wasps
with a mature display. After more assured performances, and a hamstring injury to Andy Goode
, Humphreys was selected to play Munster
at Thomond Park
in a decisive Heineken Cup
pool game. After his brilliant performance in a high tempo match he was the selected for his Ireland A début against England Saxons
at Ravenhill
, in his native Ulster
.
In April 2008, after falling out of favour at Leicester, Humphreys signed for Ulster to replace his retiring brother.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer, who plays at fly-half (usually called "out half" in Ireland) for Ulster
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
in the RaboDirect Pro12. He rejoined Ulster in 2008 from Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
having previously played for Ulster at under 21 level where he captained them during the 2002/03 season and has also represented Ireland at U19, U21 and 'A' level, and captained the Irish side at the Rugby World Cup Sevens
Rugby World Cup Sevens
The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international Rugby sevens competition. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board , and is contested by the men's national sevens teams every four years. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the...
tournament in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in March 2005. He had previously been named player of the tournament for the European Sevens qualifier in Poland.
He is the younger brother of retired Ulster fly-half David Humphreys.
Humphreys joined Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
in 2005 from Belfast Harlequins
Belfast Harlequins
Belfast Harlequins is a multi-sports club located off the Malone Road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club name provides the overall umbrella for rugby union, men's and ladies' hockey and squash...
. His first outing in Tigers stripes was at the Middlesex Sevens Tournament at Twickenham in August. During October 2006 Humphreys was loaned out to first division Leeds
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
where he made 4 appearances, scoring 2 tries and a drop goal. On his return to the Leicester first team he guided the Tigers to a victory away at Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
with a mature display. After more assured performances, and a hamstring injury to Andy Goode
Andy Goode
Andrew James Goode is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half for Worcester and England.-Career:...
, Humphreys was selected to play Munster
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
at Thomond Park
Thomond Park
Thomond Park is a stadium located in Limerick in the Irish province of Munster. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and count Munster Rugby, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in...
in a decisive Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
pool game. After his brilliant performance in a high tempo match he was the selected for his Ireland A début against England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
at Ravenhill
Ravenhill Stadium
Ravenhill Stadium is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is used by Ulster Rugby. It has a normal capacity of 12,300 and is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union.-History:The grounds were opened in the 1923/24 season...
, in his native Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
.
In April 2008, after falling out of favour at Leicester, Humphreys signed for Ulster to replace his retiring brother.