You could see that watching them in the World Cup. It just reminded me of the reason I started playing rugby in the first place, because of that exact feeling, because I loved it. I would sit down and watch every single rugby game on telly. And they also include a smattering of retired internationals, like Stapleton and Hayes, who were Irish team-mates for so long. One of the other benefits from their Ireland days being over, says Hayes, is having a social life again.

Source: The Irish Times April 19, 2018 06:00 UTC