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Video: Ireland's Darren Cave 'envious' of other home nations when it comes to anthems

Ulster centre Darren Cave has given a fascinating insight into the “complicated” situation with anthems before Ireland games and says he’s “envious” of other home nations.

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The 11-times capped Ireland international, who played at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was speaking on The Rugby Pod.

“I always found when the couple of games I did play, the big games, the Romania’s, the Georgia’s, the North American teams, the whole anthem situation is very, very strange,” he said.

“I actually look at other home nations in the Six Nations very enviously. You watch the Welsh belt out their anthem, I don’t think it’s their official anthem, and you see the same in Scotland and you think ‘this is class’ and Ireland is just not like that.”

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Cave, who has made 215 appearances for Ulster tried to explain further.

“It’s a complicated issue, people from south of the border, they think their anthem of Ireland is Ahmran na bhFiann, the soldiers song, so they sort of think why is this ‘Ireland’s Call’ being played, it’s just a made up song. So I always respected the players from south of the border who would sing ‘Ireland’s Call’ because I felt they were, by doing that, were including the Northern boys.”

Cave also revealed that some players weren’t keen to sing ‘Ireland’s Call’ and praised the likes of John Hayes who’s emotional rendition before Ireland took on England at Croke Park in the 2007 Six Nations left an impression.

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“Big John Hayes belted it out at Croke Park and the tears came. And that came across in that documentary. God Save the Queen being played at Croke Park was a very emotional thing and people were worried there was going to be boos. Because when you go and watch the Northern Ireland soccer team it’s God Save the Queen”

Cave also says the recent Brian O’Driscoll documentary, ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ on BT Sport was an eye-opener for him.

“It actually made me realise how weird the whole thing is. When the people were speaking, the lambeg drum and saying they were proud Irishmen, but they were British and it seems weird and you can see Drico’s (Brian O’Driscoll) face, he’s going ‘what are they talking about’.

“That’s just normal, that’s just how it is. It was interesting for me to see it from outside. Lots of people there would bang the lambeg drug and have the Union flag and wear the Orange Order gear and then they’d happily support Ireland and they’re standing at the Aviva Stadium when Amhran na bhFiann is being played. It is very weird, but when you’re in it and it’s what you’re used to, it just doesn’t seem that weird to me.”

Watch in full: The Rugby Pod – Rory Best & Mark Wilson

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Soliloquin 58 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

235 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 1 hour ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

235 Go to comments
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