Ireland and Lions rugby star Rob Kearney is putting his masters in business to good use. Accounts filed by the Leinster full back's Willville Promotions Ltd, show that accumulated profits jumped 54 per cent from €123,247 to €190,874 last year.

The firm’s cash during the period increased from €128,445 to €190,081.

The jump in accumulated profits last year followed a sharp increase in profits in 2011 – from €57,675 to €123,247.

During a previous lay off through injury, the former UCD student took advantage of the extra time off by completing a master’s degree in business by night.

Kearney is among a host of current Irish internationals – including Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Cian Healy and Paul O'Connell – who have established promotional firms to take advantage of their marketing potential