Bono helps Ireland squad understand 'what it means to be Irish'
Music star Bono has provided Ireland’s squad with lessons in “Irishness” ahead of Sunday’s tantalising Guinness Six Nations showdown with England.
The Dublin-born U2 frontman delivered an impassioned talk as a special guest at the team hotel on Tuesday evening and was photographed serving food to captain Johnny Sexton.
He briefly performed songs from his vast repertoire, as well as speaking to players on a range of topics, including what it means to be Irish.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, who comes up against his homeland at Twickenham this weekend, was delighted with the impact of the motivational visit. “We were blown away that he gave his time up to come over to see us,” said Farrell.
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The Rugby Pod previews the round three fixtures in the Guinness Six Nations
“We invited him in and he was top of the wish list and we got the top, which was unbelievable really. He’s quite a private person really but he put a lot of time and effort into being able to answer the questions from the floor in a great manner that we got something out of. He’s obviously a proud Irishman, so he talked a bit about Irishness.”
Ireland can clinch the Triple Crown in London following successive wins over Scotland and Wales. Scrum-half Conor Murray was inspired by the visit of the 59-year-old musician, real name Paul Hewson, while wing Jacob Stockdale believes it can help build the team’s identity.
“It was just cool to hear him talk about his life experiences and how he views the world and you realise what he’s done outside of music and in terms of charity and the people he’s dealt with politically,” said Murray.
At your service, Sir… and always at the service of a truly great Irish team…! Bono @JohnnySexton @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/lhv2T4oKQg
— U2 (@U2) February 19, 2020
“He’s just a huge personality and it was unbelievable to hear him speak, unbelievably intelligent and well-articulated guy. It was just a really cool evening.”
Stockdale added: “Faz (Farrell) wants to give us a bit of an identity and he’s doing that through our training but also through things like speaking to Bono.
“He talked about Irishness and what it means to be Irish and what is special about it. That’s definitely something that Faz in bringing in and it’s something that we as a team are really buying into.”
Andy Farrell reveals the XV he hopes can win the Triple Crown https://t.co/VNJAvbFD5h
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 19, 2020
Ireland have named an unchanged starting XV for the trip across the Irish Sea following their impressive bonus-point success over defending Grand Slam champions Wales on February 8.
The return of fit-again number eight Caelan Doris on the bench, in place of Max Deegan, is the only change to the 23-man squad.
Farrell, who was capped eight times by his country during his playing days, will go head-to-head with son and England captain Owen Farrell on Sunday.
(Video) Bono en #Dublin junto al Equipo Nacional Irlandés de #Rugby vía @sexton_jhonny10 #U2 #Ireland #Kildare pic.twitter.com/jpSDATVD8i
— U2Valencia (@U2Valencia) February 18, 2020
Despite the unusual circumstances, the 44-year-old insists contact between the pair in the build-up to the game has been no different.
“I think I’ve spoken to him two or three times,” said the senior Farrell. “Sometimes it’s once a week, sometimes it’s five times a week, sometimes it’s ten, there’s nothing new there. A bit of FaceTime talking to my grandson, that type of thing.”
Exclusive: Andy Farrell on team selection, facing England, @Paul_OConnell in camp & a special visit from Bono.#ShoulderToShoulder #ENGvIRE #U2 #GuinnesSixNations #Bono pic.twitter.com/cNeLvRq02W
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 19, 2020
While Ireland sit level on nine points with France at the top of the standings, World Cup finalists England are playing catch-up following defeat in Paris on the opening weekend.
Farrell expects Eddie Jones’ men to be fired up as they attempt to salvage their title hopes. “We’re in a good place, we’re two from two, we know that our performance has to be there to win,” said Farrell.
“England have won one, lost one, so I suppose that this is their championship, so you would say they would have an edge about their game.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Brian O’Driscoll calls out the ‘scaremongering’ of England boss Eddie Jones
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments