Why do Ireland have one rugby team but two international football teams?

Question

so why don't the rugby team call themselves republic of iirelasnd or northern ireland

Answer 1

FIFA have got a different rule than the Rugby Union thats why in some sports like Cricket & Rugby players even from Wales & Scotland can play for England whereas in Football,FIFA does not allow this. I guess so.

Answer 2

Ireland doesn't have two football teams.  The two teams in Ireland are Northern Ireland & Ireland. The Ireland team that plays rugby some of the northern players don't even sing the irish athem that is why we sing Ireland's Call.  If you know anything about irish history you would understand.

Answer 3

After the partition the Irish Rugby team made a decision not to split and has since remained a single team. Simple as that!

Answer 4

because....I'm guessing here, Rugby is seen as a gentleman's sport in Ireland. Most of the players are from university's and never allowed themselves or their game to be dragged into Sectarian rubbish..

Answer 5

Stop pretending to be intelligent and having a go at him for thinking Ireland as an island is a country. He never said that.

Can any of you actually answer his question?

We all know there is one rugby team and 2 football teams.

the question above is WHY?

Answer 6

Oh o, I smell an American

Answer 7

An excellent question which most people are avoiding giving an answer to.

Why does n't the rugby have a Northern Ireland and a Republic of Ireland team...or..Why is there not a joint team is soccer.

In other words why is rugby and soccer different in this respect?

I'm afraid I don't know the answer..I'm Welsh but surely an Irish (N or S) can give a straight answer.I'll be intrigued to know.

Answer 8

Two teams in football? Ireland and North Ireland are not the same country.

Their cooperation in rugby is extraordinary for sports.