Hugo Keenan (born 18 June 1996) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.
Early life Keenan attended secondary school at Blackrock College. There he was a member of the team that won the 2014 Leinster Schools Senior Cup, with Keenan noted for his running and passing, including scoring a try in the final.
Professional career Leinster
Keenan debuted for Leinster in 2016 against Zebre at the age of 20. In May 2026, Leinster announced that Keenan had signed a new contract and would remain at the province until 2028.https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/05/05/rugby-union-news-today-5th-may/
Ireland U20 and 7s Keenan played wing for the Ireland under-20 national rugby union team. Keenan started all matches for the Ireland under-20 team during the 2016 under-20 Six Nations. He also started all matches in the 2016 World Rugby under-20 Championship, including Ireland's historic victory over New Zealand.
Keenan was called into the Ireland national rugby sevens team camp in early 2017. Keenan was part of the Ireland sevens team during the 2017 Grand Prix Series. He scored several tries during Ireland's win at the 2017 Moscow Sevens, including a crucial try in Ireland's 28–21 semifinal win over Russia.
Keenan was called up to the Sevens Team for the 2023/24 Madrid Grand Final. In June 2024 Keenan was called up to the 2024 Olympics Squad.
Ireland
Keenan debuted for Ireland on 24 October 2020 in a Six Nations match against Italy, where he started on the wing and scored two tries in a 50–17 win. Keenan then started Ireland's next 17 internationals between 2020 and 2022, scoring tries against Georgia, Italy, USA, England and New Zealand. Keenan was recognized for his strong performance in Ireland’s win against England in the 2022 Six Nations. Keenan was described in March 2022 as the heir to Rob Kearney at fullback for Ireland.
Selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup by Ireland Coach Andy Farrell, Keenan started in all five matches for the Ireland within the tournament.
British & Irish Lions Keenan was named in the initial Lions squad for the 2025 tour to Australia as part of the event held at the O2 Arena in London. Despite suffering from illness and injury during the beginning of the tour to Australia, Keenan made his Lions debut as cap #881 against the Queensland Reds on 5 July 2025. Keenan started both of the first two test matches against the Wallabies and scored the series clinching try in 79th minute of the second test.
Playing style Known for his defence, aerial skills and ability to pick up loose kicks and engineer attacking plays for his team, Keenan's fitness has led to a world record 4:11 in the bronco test.
Career statistics List of international tries Number Position Points Tries Result Opposition Venue Date 1–2 Wing 10 2 Won Aviva Stadium 24 October 2020 3 Wing 5 1 Won Georgia Aviva Stadium 29 November 2020 4 Fullback 5 1 Won Stadio Olimpico 27 February 2021 5 Fullback 5 1 Won Aviva Stadium 10 July 2021 6 Fullback 5 1 Won Twickenham Stadium 12 March 2022 7 Fullback 5 1 Won Sky Stadium 16 July 2022 8 Fullback 5 1 Won Aviva Stadium 11 February 2023 9 Fullback 5 1 Won Stadio Olimpico 25 February 2023 10Fullback 5 1 Won Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux 9 September 2023 11-12Fullback 10 2 Won Stade de France 7 October 2023 13Fullback 5 1 Won Stadio Olimpico 15 March 2025 14Fullback 5 1 Won Melbourne Cricket Ground 26 July 2025
Honours Leinster 5× United Rugby Championship: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025
Ireland 2× Six Nations Championship: 2023, 2024 1× Grand Slam: 2023 3× Triple Crown: 2022, 2023, 2025
British & Irish Lions 1x Test Series: 2025
Individual 2x Six Nations Team of the Championship: 2022, 2023
References
External links
Leinster Profile Pro14 Profile
Hugo Keenan at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (archived)