Two Irish players are among five specialists set to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) programme.
Mark McNamee and Ross Bolger will join the IPP’s Class of 2025 – which includes former Ulster rugby player Aaron Sexton – as kickers.
They follow in the footsteps of former Down footballer Charlie Smyth, who secured a place on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad through the IPP last year.
McNamee (25) joins the IPP from Dublin club Ballyboden St Endas, while Laois 23-year-old Bolger enters the programme following a season playing college football at Idaho State University.
The age of rugby imperialism is here, and Ireland must realise we sit with the ‘Have-nots’
Italy match gives Ireland ‘massive opportunity’ to turn bad day into start of better times
Think you know when it’ll be time to tell Bundee Aki and Tadhg Furlong to step aside?
A toxic generation of parents is spoiling sport for US children
The pair took part in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Wednesday and were chosen to join the IPP as specialists along with two further kickers and a punter from Germany and Italy.
