Eric Miller (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Eric Roger Patrick Miller (born September 23, 1975, Dublin, Ireland
) is a former Irish rugby union
and Gaelic football
player. As a rugby player Miller played for, among others Old Wesley
, Leicester Tigers
,[Ulster],Leinster
, the Barbarians
, Ireland
and the British and Irish Lions
. After retiring as a rugby player, Miller switched football codes and went onto play gaelic football for Dublin
.
where he played both rugby union
and cricket
. At the same time he played soccer
for Leicester Celtic, a team whose former players also included Damian Duff. He also played gaelic football
for Ballyboden St. Enda's
and, together with Brian Stynes
, he helped them win a Dublin under 21 Championship
title in 1995. Miller eventually opted to concentrate on rugby union and spent the 1995-96 season playing for Old Wesley
. He also represented Leinster
for the first time at senior level.
.
and went onto make 12 appearances for them in the Heineken Cup
. His impressive performances for the Tigers saw him make his debut for Ireland
and then represent the British and Irish Lions
. While playing for the Tigers, he also attended both Loughborough University
, where he studied for a degree in Physical Education
, and Sheffield Hallam University
.
during the 1995-96 season while still attached to Old Wesley
. After his spell with Leicester Tigers
he returned to Ireland and initially linked up with Terenure College RFC
and Ulster
. In 2000 he returned to Leinster and went onto make 148 appearances for the province in the Celtic League
and the Heineken Cup
. Back at Leinster he helped them win the 2001-02 Celtic League title.
, U21 and A
levels. In 1996 he was a prominent member of the Ireland U21 team that won a Triple Crown
for the first time. Between 1997 and 2005
, Miller made 48 appearances and scored 30 points, including 6 tries, for Ireland
. He made his international debut in a friendly against Italy
on January 4, 1997. He went onto play for Ireland at both the 1999
and 2003
World Cups. He scored two of six his tries in one game against Namibia
during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
. He made his final appearance for Ireland in a friendly against Japan
on June 19, 2005.
, Miller was selected by the British and Irish Lions
for their 1997 tour of South Africa
. He played in five games during the tour, lining up against the Border Bulldogs
, Northern Transvaal
, Natal
and the Free State Cheetahs
. A bout of flu saw him miss the first test against South Africa
but he recovered in time to feature in the second test on June 28, 1997. However injury saw him miss the third test. At 21 he was youngest member of the touring party.
several times. In May 2004 he was included in their squad for games against England
, Wales
and Scotland
. On May 25, 2005 he featured in a 38-7 defeat against Scotland
at Pittodrie
.
again. In August 2006 he came on as a substitute for Ballyboden St. Enda's
in a Dublin AFL Division 1
game against Thomas Davis
. On December 5, 2006 he played his first senior game for Dublin
against Louth
. He has since ended his short return to GAA.
until 2009. He is also currently coaching for Old Wesley
as well as Saint Gerard's School
2011 - Appointed Head Coach Blackrock College Rugby Club Dublin
Wesley College
Leinster
Gaelic football
Ballyboden St. Endas
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
) is a former Irish 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...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
player. As a rugby player Miller played for, among others Old Wesley
Old Wesley
Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989...
, 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...
,[Ulster],Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
, the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
, Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. After retiring as a rugby player, Miller switched football codes and went onto play gaelic football for Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
.
Early years
As a schoolboy and youth, Miller played several sports. He was educated at Wesley College, DublinWesley College, Dublin
This article is about Wesley College in Dublin, Ireland. See Wesley College for articles on other institutions named "Wesley College"....
where he played both 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...
and cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
. At the same time he played soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
for Leicester Celtic, a team whose former players also included Damian Duff. He also played gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for Ballyboden St. Enda's
Ballyboden St. Enda's
Ballyboden St. Enda's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Knocklyon, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is named after Saint Enda of Aran. The Club serves the Knocklyon, Ballycullen, Rathfarnham, Ballyboden, Ballyroan, Firhouse areas.Their homeground is Pairc Uí Mhurchú, located on the Firhouse...
and, together with Brian Stynes
Brian Stynes
Brian Stynes is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Dublin and now resides in Australia. He Attended De La Salle College, Churchtown,Dublin-Australian rules football career:...
, he helped them win a Dublin under 21 Championship
Dublin Under 21 Football Championship
For the current Senior Championship see 2007The Dublin Under 21 Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under-21 Gaelic footballers of Dublin clubs.-Roll of honour:-Under 21 B Football Championship:...
title in 1995. Miller eventually opted to concentrate on rugby union and spent the 1995-96 season playing for Old Wesley
Old Wesley
Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989...
. He also represented Leinster
Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
for the first time at senior level.
.
Leicester Tigers
In 1996 Miller joined Leicester TigersLeicester 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...
and went onto make 12 appearances for them in the 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,...
. His impressive performances for the Tigers saw him make his debut for Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and then represent the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. While playing for the Tigers, he also attended both Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
, where he studied for a degree in Physical Education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
, and Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University is a higher education institution in South Yorkshire, England, based on two sites in Sheffield. City Campus is located in the city centre, close to Sheffield railway station, and Collegiate Crescent Campus is about two miles away, adjacent to Ecclesall Road in...
.
Leinster
Miller first played for LeinsterLeinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
during the 1995-96 season while still attached to Old Wesley
Old Wesley
Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989...
. After his spell with 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...
he returned to Ireland and initially linked up with Terenure College RFC
Terenure College RFC
Terenure College RFC was founded on November 14th 1940. It is a senior rugby club in Dublin, Ireland.-History:Terenure College RFC was founded on November 14th 1940. With a great love for the game and concerned that past pupils were not playing rugby union after leaving school, Rev...
and 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 2000 he returned to Leinster and went onto make 148 appearances for the province in the Celtic League
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
and the 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,...
. Back at Leinster he helped them win the 2001-02 Celtic League title.
Ireland
As well as winning senior caps, Miller also represented Ireland at schoolboyIreland national schoolboy rugby union team
The Irish Schoolboys rugby union team is the national team for secondary school students and under-18 players in Ireland.-Role:The Irish Schoolboys side represents the nation against youths of other nations....
, U21 and A
Ireland A national rugby union team
The Ireland Wolfhounds are the second national rugby union team behind the Irish national side. They have previously competed in the Churchill Cup together with the England Saxons and the full national teams of Canada and the United States as well as selection of other nations' 1st, 2nd and 3rd...
levels. In 1996 he was a prominent member of the Ireland U21 team that won a Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
for the first time. Between 1997 and 2005
2005 Ireland rugby union tour of Japan
2005 Ireland rugby union tour of Japan. Eleven Ireland players, including their captain Brian O'Driscoll, plus their coach Eddie O'Sullivan were included in the British and Irish Lions squad for their tour of New Zealand...
, Miller made 48 appearances and scored 30 points, including 6 tries, for Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
. He made his international debut in a friendly against Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
on January 4, 1997. He went onto play for Ireland at both the 1999
1999 Rugby World Cup squads
This article lists the official squads for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales.=Head Coach: Jim Telfer# Glenn Metcalfe# Chris Paterson# Cameron Murray# Kenny Logan# Shaun Longstaff# Alan Tait# John Leslie# James McLaren# Jamie Mayer# Gregor Townsend...
and 2003
2003 Rugby World Cup squads
This article lists the official squads for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.=Head Coach: / Eddie Jones# Matt Burke# Chris Latham# Matt Giteau# Nathan Grey# Stirling Mortlock# Mat Rogers# Morgan Turinui# Joe Roff# Wendell Sailor# Lote Tuqiri...
World Cups. He scored two of six his tries in one game against Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
. He made his final appearance for Ireland in a friendly against Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
on June 19, 2005.
British and Irish Lions
After playing just four senior internationals for IrelandIreland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
, Miller was selected by the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
for their 1997 tour of South Africa
1997 British Lions tour to South Africa
The 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa was a series of matches played by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team in South Africa.This tour followed the Lions' 1993 tour to New Zealand and preceded their 2001 tour to Australia....
. He played in five games during the tour, lining up against the Border Bulldogs
Border Bulldogs
The Border Bulldogs are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Border Rugby Union and are based in East London....
, Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
, Natal
Natal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
and the Free State Cheetahs
Free State Cheetahs
The Free State Cheetahs , currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in...
. A bout of flu saw him miss the first test against South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
but he recovered in time to feature in the second test on June 28, 1997. However injury saw him miss the third test. At 21 he was youngest member of the touring party.
Barbarians
Miller has also played for the BarbariansBarbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
several times. In May 2004 he was included in their squad for games against England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
, Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
. On May 25, 2005 he featured in a 38-7 defeat against Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
.
Return to Gaelic football
After retiring as a rugby player in January 2006, Miller started playing gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
again. In August 2006 he came on as a substitute for Ballyboden St. Enda's
Ballyboden St. Enda's
Ballyboden St. Enda's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in Knocklyon, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is named after Saint Enda of Aran. The Club serves the Knocklyon, Ballycullen, Rathfarnham, Ballyboden, Ballyroan, Firhouse areas.Their homeground is Pairc Uí Mhurchú, located on the Firhouse...
in a Dublin AFL Division 1
Dublin AFL Division 1
The Dublin Adult Football League Division 1 is the top Gaelic football league in Co. Dublin. The current champions are St. Sylvester's who beat St. Jude's in the final at Parnell Park.-Roll of honour:-References:...
game against Thomas Davis
Thomas Davis (GAA Club)
Thomas Davis is a Gaelic Athletic Association club with extensive grounds and a clubhouse located on the Kiltipper Road in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1888, Thomas Davis has a long association with Tallaght from the time when it was a small rural village in the countryside...
. On December 5, 2006 he played his first senior game for Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
against Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
. He has since ended his short return to GAA.
Retirement
Since finishing with Gaelic Football, Miller set up his own personal training company called the real golf solution. He has also had a rather successful coaching career. In September 2006 he undertook a coaching position in Wesley College, DublinWesley College, Dublin
This article is about Wesley College in Dublin, Ireland. See Wesley College for articles on other institutions named "Wesley College"....
until 2009. He is also currently coaching for Old Wesley
Old Wesley
Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989...
as well as Saint Gerard's School
2011 - Appointed Head Coach Blackrock College Rugby Club Dublin
Honours
Rugby unionWesley College
- Leinster Schools Junior CupLeinster Schools Junior CupThe Leinster Schools Junior Challenge Cup is an under-age rugby union competition for schools affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU.Competition is confined to students under the age of 15. The cup is held every January - March with the final in late March. It is usually seen as a good...
- Runner Up: 1989-90 : 1
Leinster
- Celtic LeagueCeltic League (rugby union)The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
- Winners: 2000-01 : 1
Gaelic football
Ballyboden St. Endas
- Dublin Under 21 Football ChampionshipDublin Under 21 Football ChampionshipFor the current Senior Championship see 2007The Dublin Under 21 Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the under-21 Gaelic footballers of Dublin clubs.-Roll of honour:-Under 21 B Football Championship:...
- Winners: 1995: 1