Mike Haley (rugby union)

Michael Patrick (Mike) Haley (born 28 June 1994) is an English professional rugby union player, currently playing for Irish province Munster in the Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup and the Ireland national team. Haley was born and grew up in England, but he qualifies for Ireland through his maternal grandmother. He plays as a fullback.

Mike Haley
Haley playing for Sale Sharks in 2013
Birth nameMichael Patrick Haley
Date of birth (1994-06-28) 28 June 1994
Place of birthPreston, England
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight93 kg (14.6 st; 205 lb)
SchoolHutton Grammar School
Myerscough College
Hartpury College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2018
2012–2013
2018–present		 Sale Sharks
→ Preston (loan)
Munster		 109
10
41		 (80)
(7)
(35)
Correct as of 29 February 2020
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016
2017
2019–		 England Saxons
England XV
Ireland		 2
1
1		 (0)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 10 August 2019

Club career

Sale Sharks

Haley made his professional debut for Sale against Saracens on 10 March 2013, in the semi-final of the 2012–13 LV Cup.[1]

Munster

It was announced in February 2018 that Haley would be joining Irish Pro14 side Munster on a three-year contract at the start of the 2018–19 season. Haley is Irish-qualified through his maternal grandmother, who hails from Tralee, County Kerry.[2] He made his competitive debut for Munster on 1 September 2018, starting at fullback in their opening 2018–19 Pro14 fixture against South African side Cheetahs in Thomond Park, a game which Munster won 38–0.[3]

Haley made his European debut for Munster on 13 October 2018, starting in the provinces 10–10 draw with Exeter Chiefs in Sandy Park in the sides' opening 2018–19 Champions Cup fixture.[4] He scored his first try for Munster on 20 October 2018, doing so in the provinces 36–22 win against Gloucester.[5]

International career

Haley received his first call-up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones for a three-day training camp in May 2016.[6] He made his debut for the England Saxons on their tour against South Africa A in June 2016.[7] However, this appearance did not tie him fully to the RFU because, at the time, South Africa A was not SARU's second team.[8] Haley was subsequently named in a provisional elite player squad for the 2016–17 season.[9]

Haley represented an England XV in the Old Mutual Wealth Cup against the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham Stadium in May 2017.[10] Again, this match did not tie him to the RFU as the Barbarians are a club team, and he thus remained eligible for future Ireland selection.[11]

In May 2019, Haley was named by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt in a 44-man training squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Along with Munster teammate Jean Kleyn, this was Haley's first time being named in an Ireland squad.[12] He made his debut for Ireland in their 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Italy on 10 August 2019, featuring as a replacement in the 29–10 win.[13] However, Haley was dropped from the squad before the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[14]

References
  1. "Steve Diamond's unpredictables stun Sarries to set up Sixways showdown with mighty Quins". Manchester Evening News. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  2. "Munster Sign Mike Haley". Munster Rugby. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  3. "Match Report | Winning Start at Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  4. "Report | Munster Draw Against Exeter Chiefs". Munster Rugby. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  5. "Report | Bonus-Point Win Over Gloucester At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  6. "Danny Cipriani and eight uncapped players named in England training squad". BBC Sport. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  7. "England Saxons beat South Africa A in opening tour match". BBC Sport. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  8. "SARU attempts to keep junior stars in SA". Sport24. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  9. "England squad: Nathan Hughes in, Danny Cipriani and Chris Ashton out". BBC Sport. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  10. "England 28-14 Barbarians". BBC Sport. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. "What are rugby's international eligibility rules?". Rugby World. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  12. "Uncapped Kleyn and Haley included in Ireland's World Cup training squad". The42. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  13. "Carbery injury sucks the air out of Ireland's win over makeshift Italy". The42. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  14. "Cooney, Haley and Bealham latest to feel harsh reality of World Cup cuts". The42. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
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