Rory Best hung up his boots after the 2019 World Cup, wrapping up a stellar career that saw him lead Ireland to a Grand Slam, two wins over the All Blacks, and a trophy cabinet full of titles.
RUCK’s Autumn Nations Series coverage is proudly powered by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, dedicated to creating a world free of MND. Join the the fight against MND here.
Despite his success, Best’s Northern Irish background made him a target for occasional criticism.
Not Singing “Ireland’s Call” – The Big Question
It’s understandable why Best doesn’t sing “Amhrán na bhFiann” before home games, but the 36-year-old’s silence during “Ireland’s Call” – the anthem designed to unite the whole island of Ireland for rugby – raised more than a few eyebrows, especially since he was captain.
Best Explains Himself in a Candid Interview
Now, Best has opened up about his reasons for not joining in, sharing the story in an insightful interview with former teammate Darren Cave on The Rugby Pod.
His explanation is as straightforward as it gets:
“Look, the thing is, it’s so ironic that you get abused for it, and nobody’s ever stopped and asked you, ‘why don’t you sing it?’” Best explained.
Throwing the Ball and the Anthem Dilemma
The roots of his decision go back to his Ireland Schools’ days, where a memorable moment left Best thinking twice about his pre-match rituals.
“It goes back to my Ireland Schools’ days. You think it’s going to be the greatest honour you’re ever going to achieve. You’re playing for Ireland. Being from rugby families like we were, you’re going ‘this is incredible!’” he recalled.
“You get so emotionally charged for it. And Ireland’s Call comes on that you’ve heard so many times in the old Lansdowne Road or watching on TV, and you’re belting it out.”
But then came the game that changed everything.
“I remember we played France or England. Kicked off. I’m flying up going ‘the first guy is getting it!’ They catch it, kick it out, and I’m turning around, running back to get a ball, still thinking ‘somebody’s gonna get it.’ I fired this throw in and it went… like I tell the story that it went three times the height of the person I was throwing it to. It wasn’t that bad! And it flew over the top.”
Emotional Overload – The Fear of Losing Focus
That one throw made Best realise just how emotional the national anthems could be for him. “From then on, I went, I can’t go into a game… because it’s so emotive to me, Ireland’s Call. And actually, even the tail end of the Irish national anthem, you know the way you get that build-up for that crescendo at the end.”
For Best, the risk of losing focus in a crucial moment was just too high.
“The problem is then, I worry that it’s going to happen in a big game. That we’re going to kick off against the All Blacks, Beauden Barrett’s going to catch it, kick it out, and then I’m fully charged, trying to focus in.
“It is such a core skill. It’s a bit like goalkicking, you have to get your heart rate down, you have to focus, get your breathing back, and focus for that split second to throw the perfect throw.”
Bookies Reckon This is the Lions Squad for the 2025 Aussie Tour – And Some Picks Will Surprise You
The British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025 is generating excitement, with bookies now tipping a likely squad.
While a few seasoned players seem almost guaranteed, there are some unexpected names rumored to earn their stripes.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
The back-three boasts a dynamic mix, with Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe bringing powerful running and finishing ability. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are tipped to add youthful flair and speed, while Hugo Keenan and Darcy Graham round out the squad with their solid defensive skills.
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
In the centre, Bundee Aki is a strong favorite for his physicality, while Ollie Lawrence has made a name for himself with his impressive form. Sione Tuipulotu and Robbie Henshaw provide additional versatility and experience.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
The fly-half selection highlights Finn Russell’s creativity and flair, with Marcus Smith and George Ford both showcasing tactical nous and playmaking ability.
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- George Ford (England) – 8/11
SCRUM-HALVES (3)
A competitive scrum-half group sees Jamison Gibson-Park favored for his quick service and decision-making, while Alex Mitchell and Ben White are both strong contenders.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – 8/11
- Alex Mitchell (England) – 11/10
- Ben White (Scotland) – 11/10
PROP (3)
The front row is anchored by stalwarts like Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, while Ellis Genge and Joe Marler add depth and experience.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 1/8
- Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/7
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland) – 4/11
- Ellis Genge (England) – 4/6
- Joe Marler (England) – 5/6
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) – 5/4
HOOKER (3)
With Dan Sheehan leading the way, the hookers are expected to be agile and mobile, crucial for the fast-paced style of play the Lions aim to adopt.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 1/10
- Jamie George (England) – 8/15
- Elliot Dee (Wales) – 6/5
LOCK (5)
In the locks, Maro Itoje remains a cornerstone, complemented by Tadhg Beirne’s athleticism and versatility.
- Maro Itoje (England) – 1/33
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) – 1/10
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 4/6
- Ollie Chessum (England) – 8/11
- George Martin (England) – 11/10
BACK-ROW (6)
Finally, the back row combines experience and dynamism, with Josh van der Flier and Courtney Lawes bringing a wealth of international experience and physicality.
- Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ben Earl (England) – 1/5
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
- Courtney Lawes (England) – 8/15
- Tommy Reffell (Wales) – 4/6
- Rory Darge (Scotland) – 6/4
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Huge blow for Scotland as Darcy Graham will miss Springboks clash
- RFU issues statements in defence of former boss Eddie Jones after allegations surface
- England team to play Australia: Borthwick names XV early again
- Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll went viral for incident at an airport
- England forward has been handed a big ban following altercation with a fan
