Irish hooker on forging alliances with sworn enemies and the challenge of getting ‘four different nations connected’
T
he best way to sum up the unique dynamic of a British & Irish Lions tour is to consult a player experiencing it for the first time. “It’s mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them,” says Ireland’s straight-talking hooker Dan Sheehan, admitting he had not been expecting to bond instantly with his new English mate Ellis Genge. “He’s definitely someone that surprises you that he’s not a dickhead.”
Welcome to the psychological maze that is the first week of a Lions tour on the other side of the world. Dealing with jet lag is the easy part. Even for top players like the 26-year-old Sheehan, a probable Test starter, the need to rub shoulders – often literally – with previously sworn enemies and forging unlikely alliances is a challenge in itself. “Genge would be a good one. He’s obviously a passionate, animated player for England and someone who we would consider, in an Irish jersey, as a talisman and someone we’d need to target.
“But that’s been one of the most enjoyable parts, just getting to know new people. We’ve got on very well. It’s probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes. You can turn on the hatred when you want it. [But] our team social after the admin day in Dublin broke the ice. There’s no awkward moments any more, you get past the small chat. You’re going to get to understand people’s stories and what’s behind them. And he [Genge] is a funny bloke off the pitch. I think everyone loves his energy and humour. You can see the passion he brings to meetings. He’s very real and says it how it is.”
