Neil
Francis

Neil Francis is a former Ireland international who represented Leinster for 13 seasons.

Neil Francis Bio

Neil Francis is a former Ireland international who represented Leinster for 13 seasons. Since his playing career ended, he has largely worked as a pundit and commentator. However, he’s often courted controversy in the roles he’s held.

Born 17 March 1964, Neil Francis was a hugely powerful second row who represented a number of top sides during his career. This included Leinster, where he played for 13 seasons. During his illustrious playing career, he was also capped 36 times by his country between 1987 and 1996. During this time, he represented Ireland in three Rugby World Cups.

However, although he enjoyed a highly distinguished playing career, Neil Francis is best known for his exploits since his retirement, where he’s largely worked as a pundit. In the past, Neil Francis has courted controversy at almost every turn. He has sparked controversy for his views on gay players, his belief that the South African World Cup win in 2019 was ‘tainted by steroids’ and his remarks about British and Irish Lions star Marcus Smith.

Due to controversy surrounding comments he made about Marcus Smith on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021, his contract as a pundit and columnist with an Irish newspaper was terminated.