Austin Healey’s cheeky form of humour doesn’t always please everyone.
The former England back likes nothing better than getting a rise out of people and will even put his neck out to do so.
It was in that spirit that, in 2015, he predicted England would put Ireland ‘to the sword’ at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland won.
Earlier this month, he predicted England would clinch a Grand Slam in Dublin by beating Ireland by 23 points. Ireland won.
Even Brian O'Driscoll got involvedhttps://t.co/vDwI7pAKoz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 19, 2017
Healey took the glut of post-match slagging well but his appetite for winding Irish rugby fans up has not sated.
During a Lions squad debate on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight, a host of back row options were discussed as potential squad members for the summer series against New Zealand. Lawrence Dallaglio declared that Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric were certainties as James Haskell may travel due to his ebullient personality and positional versatility. Billy Vunipola appears to be a dead cert.
With more and more options discussed, Healey had heard enough. He reached up, plucked Ireland’s CJ Stander from the predicted Test XV and attempted to hide him behind the board.
Brian O’Driscoll and host Craig Doyle were not having it.
“You can only take nine back-rowers,” Healey proclaimed. “Not 19. Some big name is going to miss out.”
O’Driscoll lept in, put Stander back on the board and said he may be up against Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony for that final back row spot. Healey wasn’t letting go as he tried to drag Stander off the board again.
Hands off mate! Stander is going.
You can check out the full discussion/debate/argument here:
Who will be a Lions 'bolter'? You had your say…
Our #RugbyTonight crew discuss your tweets. https://t.co/mQiHnIaJup
— Rugby Tonight (@RugbyTonight) March 29, 2017
