Eric O'Sullivan (born 30 November 1995) is an Irish rugby union player who plays loosehead prop for United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup side Ulster and internationally for Ireland.
Born in Dublin, O'Sullivan attended Templeogue College and Trinity College, where he completed a business studies course. He played in the back row at school, and converted to the front row at Trinity.Jonathan Bradley, "How Eric O'Sullivan went from Leinster rejection to his first Ireland cap as Ulster loosehead's rugby rise continue", Belfast Telegraph, 5 December 2020
O'Sullivan represented his native Leinster at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, but missed out on a place in Leinster's academy. Strong performances for Dublin University in the All-Ireland League caught the attention of Ulster and, after an appearance for Ulster's 'A' side in early 2017, He joined the Ulster academy.
He made his senior debut for Ulster off the bench in their 15–13 win against Welsh side Scarlets in the opening round of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 1 September 2018, and made his first start for the province in their 39–39 draw against South African side Cheetahs on 21 September 2018. He made 26 appearances, including 16 starts, and made 251 tackles, while still an academy player, in 2018–19,Ulster Men: Who did what 2018-19, The From Row Union, 18 July 2019 and was named Young Player of the Year in the 2019 Ulster Rugby Awards.Darren Fullerton, "2019 Ulster Rugby Awards: Retiring captain Rory Best is named Heineken Personality of the Year", Belfast Live, 9 May 2019 He signed his first senior contract with Ulster in February 2019. He made 18 appearances, including 10 starts, in 2019–20.
He made 21 appearances, including 16 starts, and 155 tackles, in 2020–21.Ulster 2020-21 - Who Did What?, The Front Row Union, 12 August 2021Don’t Cry In Front Of The Mexicans: Ulster’s 2020-21 Season (And How They Must Keep Twirling, Twirling, Twirling Towards Freedom in 2021-22), Digging Like a Demented Mole, 28 June 2021 He made his 50th appearance for Ulster in November 2020.Ciaran Donaghy, "Eric O’Sullivan hungry for more after reaching milestone 50th cap for Ulster", News Letter, 11 November 2020 He made his debut for Ireland against Scotland in the Autumn Nations Cup on 5 December 2020, replacing Cian Healy. At the end of the season he was named in the 2020–21 Pro14 Dream Team."The Media Votes are in - Who made the Guinness PRO14 Dream Team?", Pro14, 1 April 2021
In the 2021–22 season, he has made 17 appearances, including 7 starts.
He was appointed scrum coach of Ulster Women in July 2023.Jonathan Bradley, "I’m excited by potential of Ulster Women’s side, says province’s new coach Murray Houston", Belfast Telegraph, 18 July 2023
He married Ulster and Ireland women's rugby player Fiona Tuite in July 2026.Sandra Mallon, "Fiona Tuite's sweet 'memorable moment' with her teammates on her wedding day", Evoke.ie, 11 August 2026
References
External links Ulster Rugby profile United Rugby Championship profile
Ireland profile Banbridge RFC Profile