Gordon D’Arcy will tomorrow become one of only three players to have played at least 100 games in European rugby when he takes to the field against Castres.
The Wexford man joins fellow Irish internationals John Hayes (101 caps) and Ronan O’Gara (110 caps) in the exclusive 100 cap club. Leo Cullen who has 92 European caps to his name and Shane Horgan with 87 are the next two Leinster players on the list of all-time record appearances.
Of the other players in the top ten still playing Munster’s Donncha O’Callaghan has 96 caps and Bath’s Peter Stringer has 95.
Gordon made his senior Leinster debut as an 18-year-old, in 1998, against Llanelli and appeared three times for the province that year. In a glittering club career, he has since gone on to win the PRO12 on four occasions and the Heineken Cup on three occasions.
He has been capped 79 times by Ireland and won the 6 Nations twice including the famous Grand Slam in 2009. He also toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2005 and 2009.
So many moments to choose from, what is your one stand out D’Arcy moment?
Please visit our Facebook page to see some classic moments and to let us know some of your own favourite Gordon D’Arcy memories!
GORDON D’ARCY FACTFILE:
Total Number of Leinster Senior Caps: 245
Date of Leinster Debut: September 1998
Points Scored for Leinster in Capped Games: 339 (61 tries, 2 conv, 6 pen, 4 drop)
Appearances in Celtic League/PRO 12 Games: 126
Points Scored in Celtic League/PRO12: 149 (27-1-2-2)
Appearances in European Rugby/Heineken Cup: 99
Points Scored in European Rugby/Heineken Cup: 150 (26-1-4-2)
Best of luck tomorrow Gordon!
