Munster confirm the signing of an Irish rugby legend's son

The Wood name has been synonymous with Irish rugby over the years, hooker Keith Wood following in the footsteps of his prop father Gordon and also becoming an Ireland and British and Irish Lions Test player.

Now, Gordon Wood, Keith’s 20-year-old midfield-playing son, has been signed by Munster after a first-team breakthrough in a pre-season friendly against Gloucester in September.

A statement read: “Munster can confirm that 20-year-old centre Gordon Wood has joined the academy. Gordon started out his rugby career with Ballina-Killaloe RFC, playing his age-grade rugby at the club until he began his schools rugby with St Munchin’s College in Limerick.

“Gordon, who is the son of former Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lion Keith, played in both the Munster schools boys junior and senior cup for St Munchin’s College and has represented Munster U18 Schools and Munster U19s.

“Wood made his senior AIL debut for Garryowen against Highfield at the beginning of the 2023/24 season and made a further 13 AIL appearances for the Limerick club in his debut season, including scoring a try in the play-off final which saw Garryowen promoted to Division 1A. In the current AIL campaign, Gordon has started all six games for Garryowen.

“Wood has trained regularly with the Munster senior squad in recent times and has also been involved in Munster A and Munster development games over the past 12 months. In September, Gordon made his first senior appearance against Gloucester in a pre-season friendly at Virgin Media Park.”