Ex-Munster and Ireland U20s star set for Love Island villa

It's not the first time we've seen an Irish rugby lad on this show...

Former Munster and Ireland under-20s player Conor Phillips has been announced as a contestant.

The 25-year-old heads to the Majorcan villa following in the footsteps of another Limerick man and former Ireland Sevens and Munster player Greg O’Shea.

O'Shea featured in and won the fifth season of the show in 2019.

Phillips was selected in the under-20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, having previously represented Ireland at under-18 and under-19 levels. He won that championship and has also represented his country on the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2021 and this year.

The Limerick native made two appearances for Munster during their 2022/23 URC title-winning season before being released at the end of that season.

Phillips has now embarked on a quest for love in the Love Island villa. He has revealed what exactly he is hoping to find during his time on the show.

Phillips said: "Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.

"I’m doing nicely as a single person, but I need a relationship, I need to settle down and invest in some stocks."

He describes himself as a class clown who loves to stir the pot. He also revealed a secret talent he developed from his rugby days.

He added: "I’ve sang in front of a lot of people before. If it’s your first rugby match you have to get on the bus and sing - they loved it!

"My go to is Mario’s Let Me Love You."

Upon the release of this news, some have taken to social media to get off a cheeky dig at Limerick.