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.
Continue reading below…
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
Yet, according to Jake White and other twonks who think better, Jenkins shouldn’t be picked by the boks. Daft.
3 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“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.
25 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
5 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.
10 Go to comments