Rory Best Reveals Why He Never Sang the Irish National Anthem

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

The Ulsterman is celebrated as one of Ireland’s greatest and most successful captains, though his Northern Irish heritage has occasionally made him a target for criticism.

While it's understandable why Best doesn't sing "Amhrán na bhFiann" before Ireland's home matches, the 36-year-old has faced criticism for not singing "Ireland's Call" – a song created to represent the entire island of Ireland in rugby internationals – especially given his role as captain.

But Best has a fairly straightforward explanation for this, detailing his reasoning in an excellent interview with former teammate Darren Cave on 

“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 said

“It goes back to my Ireland Schools’ days. And you know what it’s like playing Ireland’s Schools’, you know, 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!’. 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.”

“And 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 then turning around, running back to get a ball, still thinking ‘somebody’s gonna to get it’., and I fired this throw in and it went, like I sort of 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.”

“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. They’re memories I have from going to the old Lansdowne Road to watch, this build up, and then the massive cheer, and then Ireland’s Call coming on.”

“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. And 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 and that’s just why I did it. I don’t know whether it would affect me as much now."

From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!

Below, we look at five other rugby stars who transformed their bodies to get themselves into top condition.

The Wallabies legend started out as an skinny 78kg teen who worked day in and day out to transform himself, with his size and strength came at a cost, Pocock told Australian Story.

Vickery is a former English rugby union player, known for his powerful scrummaging and leadership on the field. He earned 73 caps for England and was a key figure in their 2003 Rugby World Cup victory.

He wrote on Instagram: "So an idea over two years ago to be in the best shape of my life to celebrate 20 years on from winning the rugby World Cup… it’s been an interesting journey full of highs and lows but have loved the process but more importantly the people who have helped along the way @chrisbradley.uk for lighting the the flame and always being there for me.. @propowell_2001 you are the most wonderful person not just for putting the plan together but being there consistently as a friend and mentor.. but to everyone at @wsf.uk for the friendship and positive energy.. the @severnsidegym crew for the smiles and thumbs up at 5 o’clock in the morning doing cardio in the freezing cold … and couldn’t forget about mr happy @adbarnes00  .. friend’s family and my awesome team @ragingbullclothing & @no3restaurants thank you … @stillmovingmedia legends as always….have an idea get a plan and follow it through team .. I’ve already got another idea and if you would like me to make a bit more of it so you can understand it please let me know and will do my best to share the next chapter.. had to play this song as it really moves me .. sorry team."

When he was a prop for the Wallabies Matt Dunning weighed 130kg and was constantly mocked for his tubby frame.

But since retiring from rugby union the 35-year-old has lost a staggering 40kg, dropping from 25 per cent body fat to just 11 per cent in six months.

He looks amazing.

England flanker/hooker Fleetwood was always a fitness freak, but during lockdown she has taken it to another level. She's been documenting her journey, sharing training routines and recipe ideas on her Instagram along the way.