Clark brothers keep up proud Instonians tradition as siblings are latest family trio to don famous yellow, purple and black shirts

In recent seasons there have been two sets of Keane brothers that have played for the Shaw’s Bridge club, while Ian, Alan, Robert and David Whitten all followed in their father John’s footsteps by playing for Instonians.

Director of rugby Clem Boyd’s two sons Jacob and Adam also played together in the first All Ireland league game of the season at Garryowen.

Last Saturday hooker Oli Clark scored two tries in the bonus point win over Trinity. Scrum-half Seb also crossed the whitewash while winger Freddie came off the bench.

Hooker Oli described the pride his family has in all three brothers playing together for Inst and is hopeful that younger brother Felix will soon be playing in the AIL as well.

“It's amazing, we all went to school at RBAI,” he said. “As the eldest brother, watching them come through the system and play first XV and now leaving school, it's always been an aim for us all because we've all wanted to play on the same team.

“Having Freddy and Seb out there, it's really amazing. Felix is coming through as well, the younger one. He's still in school so hopefully we'll have him in a few years' time as well.

“They're all amazing rugby families at this club and to be able to be out there and be one of those as well, it's really, really fantastic.”

The first time the trio played AIL together was in Tipperary.

Oli reflected: “When the Nenagh team got announced and my parents found out, they were instantly so happy.

“First thing was get in the car, come down on Saturday morning, all the way down to Nenagh. It was amazing and against Trinity on Saturday they are just really, really proud.”

Oli joked about being the only forward in the family, saying: “I get all the dessert in the family. Felix as well, the youngest, he's also another back so three backs, one hooker.”

Seb has just left school and his big brother has been giving him advice on the rigours of the AIL.

“It wasn't too much about what to expect and stuff because he's a good wee player, you know, he's a hardy wee player,” Oli said.

“I just said go out and have fun and you will learn and you will be out of your depth sometimes, and it's just take it on your stride, you know, just have fun with it and enjoy it.

“He's coming here and he's done absolutely amazing in training – he's been playing amazing in training and playing the games as well – he’s been playing amazing with us.”

Oli was happy they both featured on the scoresheet at the weekend.

“I'm trying to get on it every time with the mauls because obviously mauls are one of our strong points,” he added. “Seb, he's small, he's sneaky so he's around the corner and he's straight under the posts.”

Oli’s school coach Jamie Kirk is now working with him at the club in his role as forwards coach.

“Jamie – his first year in school was when I was my upper sixth and I was in the 1s – so he was my coach straight out and it's great having him here because he's an amazing coach, he knows exactly what he's talking about,” he said.

“I’ve been working really hard in the line-out, scrum, mauls, everything and being able to just do what I can do in training and to help the team out.”

The aim now for the Clark brothers is to help Instonians reach the top flight of Irish Rugby.

Oli said: “The first two games were a bit shaky but there's three games in a row there where we've had to fight the entire 80 minutes and the boys have done absolutely amazing.

"It just proves that we can do it and we are willing to fight a full 80 minutes no matter what's against us and all that, so it is really good.

“Three wins in a row now and let's keep it going.”