Fitzpatrick’s Garages, main Opel Dealer in County Kildare, has announced the appointment of Erin King as Fitzpatrick’s Opel Brand Ambassador. To mark the occasion, Erin has been presented with a brand-new Opel Frontera. As the official car partner to the IRFU and a longstanding supporter of Irish Rugby, Opel Ireland is proud to see Erin take on this role with Fitzpatrick’s Garages as she prepares to lead her country in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. The Old Belvedere RFC back row brings fierce determination and natural leadership to everything she does, and her appointment as a Fitzpatrick’s Opel Brand Ambassador reflects the exciting chapter that lies ahead for Irish Women’s Rugby as they look towards an historic Six Nations game at Aviva Stadium.
Speaking at the presentation of her new Opel Frontera, Sean Lyons, CEO at Fitzpatrick’s Garages said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Erin as an Opel Brand Ambassador for Fitzpatrick’s Garages.
As a motor group celebrating 75 years in business in 2026, joining forces with an athlete as remarkable as Erin could not be more perfect. This year Fitzpatrick’s won the automotive equivalent of the Triple Crown, winning National Franchised Sales, Aftersales and the ZEVI SEAI Electric Vehicle Dealership of the Year for Leinster at the Society of the Irish Motor Industry Awards.
We are excited to support Erin as she steps out to lead Ireland next month and we look forward to a wonderful partnership ahead. Hopefully Erin joining forces with Fitzpatrick’s and our trophy-laden cabinet is a good omen for the upcoming Six Nations!”
James Brooks, Opel Ireland Managing Director said: “Opel has been a committed partner to Irish Rugby for many years, and our support for the Women’s game continues to grow stronger. Erin King is an exceptional talent and an inspiring figure for the next generation of rugby players in this country. Her story of resilience, from overcoming serious injury to being named captain of her country, is exactly the kind of spirit that Opel stands behind. We are very much looking forward to seeing her lead Ireland in the upcoming Guinness Women’s Six Nations and to building a strong relationship with the team at Fitzpatrick’s Garages”.
Born in Sydney, Australia, and raised across Dubai and Doha before her family settled in Blessington, County Wicklow, Erin’s journey to the top of Irish rugby has been anything but conventional. She first picked up the game at Naas RFC and went on to represent Leinster and the Ireland Under 18 sides before earning recognition as a Player of National Interest at just 17. She made her senior Ireland Sevens debut at the Dubai Sevens in December 2021 and went on to represent Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her transition to the XV’s game was nothing short of spectacular, most notably when she scored twice against New Zealand in Ireland’s historic WXV1 victory over the Black Ferns in September 2024. That performance helped earn her the World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award at the 2024 World Rugby Awards. Having battled back from a serious knee injury that threatened her career, Erin returned to action in January 2026 and was subsequently named Ireland Women’s 15s captain, becoming the youngest player ever to captain the side.
