Visually impaired rugby offers 'new beginning' in Ireland

Sean McDowell lost his sight two years ago. He joined the Visually Impaired Rugby for the visually impaired in Ireland scheme. His wife Aine drove him to play rugby at Old Wesley in Dublin. Ian McKinley played rugby for Italy despite losing his left eye. The former fly-half believes rugby fits the buzzwords of inclusion and connection. It's nice to be able to help out and provide something in a sport that gave him so much.

VI Rugby is based around the Rugby Sevens touch format. It takes into consideration a wide range of sight conditions while maintaining the fundamental codes, laws and spectacle of rugby for both players and spectators. McKinley had started the VI programme in Italy but it was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He jumped at the chance to help create a similar programme for visually impaired people in Ireland. He wants to see a Six Nations tournament in the future.