Munster 200 Club | Billy Holland
24th June 2020 By The Editor
Billy Holland with his parents Jerry,a former Munster player and Ireland international himself, and Jean after making his 200th appearance.
In our series profiling the players who have reached the 200-cap landmark for Munster, we take a look back at the careers of the 11 Munster men who played over 200 games for the province.
Billy Holland became the tenth Munster-man to reach 200 caps for the province, and the first of the current squad to reach the significant milestone, in January 2019.
Billy followed Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, John Hayes, David Wallace, Marcus Horan, Mick O’Driscoll and Donncha O’Callaghan in reaching 200 caps, you can read more about their careers below.
Munster 200 Club | Anthony Foley
Munster 200 Club | Alan Quinlan
Munster 200 Club | Peter Stringer
Munster 200 Club | Ronan O’Gara
Munster 200 Club | David Wallace
Munster 200 Club | Marcus Horan
Billy Holland – 227 Caps (2007 – present)
In reaching the 200-cap landmark away to Connacht in January 2019, Billy Holland became the first Munster player to play 200 games for the province since record appearance-holder Donncha O’Callaghan did so in April 2012 against Glasgow.
To date, Holland has lined out for Munster on 227 occasions and only three players have made more Munster appearances: Donncha O’Callaghan (268), Ronan O’Gara (240) and Peter Stringer (232).
Billy is now in his 14th season of professional rugby after first lining out in red against Scarlets in September 2007.
Billy Holland on his competitive debut for Munster in 2007.
A graduate of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy, the Corkman’s pathway saw him play school and club rugby with CBC, UCC and Cork Constitution.
In lineout action for Cork Constitution in 2008.
He played on the Munster side narrowly defeated by New Zealand in 2008 and played a central role in the defeat of the touring Australians two years later.
Celebrating the 2010 victory over Australia.
Leading the Munster ‘A’ side to British and Irish Cup success in 2012, Billy has flourished in a leadership role with the senior side and has now captained the province on 37 occasions.
Munster’s Billy Holland lifts the British and Irish Cup trophy in 2012.
A driving force on and off the field, hard work and consistent performances throughout his career have seen Billy win Munster Rugby Academy Player of the Year in 2008 , Young Player of the Year in 2010, and be nominated for Player of the Year by his teammates on two occasions.
Playing both lock and flanker, he has been a near ever-present in match-day squads over the past number of seasons. Billy marked his 100th appearance in red in 2015 and reached the 200-cap landmark just four years later.
On the international front, he has lined out for the Ireland U19s, Ireland U21s, Ireland Universities, Emerging Ireland and the Ireland senior team.
In action for the Ireland U21s in 2006.
He played in Emerging Ireland’s 2014 Nations Cup winning campaign in Romania and also won the 2015 Tblisi Cup with Emerging Ireland, captaining the side for the final game against the tournament hosts.
Billy made his Ireland senior debut in November 2016 against Canada at the Aviva Stadium.
Billy Holland secures lineout ball against Canada in 2016.
