Two legends of international rugby, Felipe Contepomi (Medicine, Class of 2007) former Leinster Rugby and Argentina international fly-half and Niall Hogan (Medicine, Class of 1995), former Ireland captain and scrum-half took to the stage with RTÉ Radio rugby commentator, Michael Corcoran, on Tuesday, 11 October at RCSI for the second of the ‘In conversation with…’ series which showcases RCSI Alumni and other inspiring role models who are front-runners in their field, celebrating those who have been successful as healthcare innovators and global thought-leaders.

As well as sharing their fondest memories of their respective years of study at the College and thereafter, Drs Hogan and Contepomi engaged Corcoran with some lively conversation from their professional rugby careers, right up until retirement and to the continuation of their careers as healthcare leaders. More than 160 Alumni and special guests attend this intimate event.

Ms Aíne Gibbons, Director of Development - Alumni Relations, Fellows and Members, RCSI, said, “We were honoured to welcome two RCSI Alumni who have achieved great success in their professions, both in rugby and in medicine. It was fantastic to hear Felipe and Niall sharing their experiences as students at RCSI and professionals careers thereafter, both in healthcare and on the pitch. This event was be a real treat for the audience.” 

Corcoran probed both RCSI Alumni about their opinions on rugby and medicine via topics such as their own personal injuries sustained over the years. They were asked about their own experience and opinions of advances in medicine in recent years and their views on the future of medicine in sport. Issues such as concussion in rugby, among many others.

Before the event, Felipe Contempomi spoke about rugby and medicine on Newstalk's Off The Ball team.

About Niall Hogan
Niall Hogan graduated from RCSI with a degree in medicine from the Class of 1995, the same year he was part of the Irish rugby side that took part in that year’s World Cup, which was held in South Africa. Incidentally, Hogan had missed his graduation at RCSI but a College delegation travelled to Johannesburg and conferred Hogan the day before Ireland played Wales. Hogan played scrum-half in the international side from 1995 to 1997, winning 13 caps and captaining the side in 1996. Nowadays, he is an orthopaedic surgeon, with affiliations in St James's Hospital, Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and Santry Sports Surgery Clinic. In 2005, he was conferred with the Intercollegiate Board Specialty Diploma in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery.

About Felipe Contepomi
Felipe Contepomi graduated from RCSI with his medical degree from the Class of 2007, which was to be a monumental year in the rugby career of this fly-half. That summer he was a key part of the Argentine international squad in the 2007 World Cup, playing in all seven matches where ‘Los Pumas’ eventually finished third, which included a 30-15 win over Ireland, in that ill-fated campaign for Eddie O’Sullivan’s men. Contepomi capped of the year by winning the 2007 Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year award. The following year, Contepomi was handed the captaincy of Argentina and led them to the 2011 World Cup. He retired in 2013 with 87 Argentine caps after scoring a mammoth 651 points. After a spell working in Beaumont Hospital, he now works at his medical practice in Buenos Aires with his father. He has also done some coaching with Argentina XV (part of the Argentine national side) and partakes in some occasional some media work with ESPN during the World Cup.