Even Carruth, Collins, McGuigan and Taylor together would struggle to match this man’s clout.
France were late to get their Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign/bandwagon rolling but, once they started, they tore into it.
In return, we bashed out the 2023 logos and put together an evocative video promo that featured Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and even Bernard Brogan waxing lyrical about Croke Park.
As if that wasn’t enough, Robert Kitson from The Guardian gave Ireland the greatest write-up we could ever hope for.
Our biggest, most uplifting story of the weekhttps://t.co/8optB0IuTV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 28, 2017
We thought we had it in the bag.
France would have to go massive to dent the Irish bid. We’re talking Hugh Jackman big. Or Diana Ross big.
And then this happened…
Mike. Tyson.
Un honneur de partager ce moment avec un Champion, une légende, comme @MikeTyson #France2023 pic.twitter.com/yV9vBpBNv4
— Bernard Laporte (@BernardLaporte_) May 6, 2017
Yes, that’s former heavyweight world champion of the world ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson holding up a France 2023 jersey. We’re goosed.
FFR president Bernard Laporte looks absolutely chuffed with himself, and why not?
Could someone give Conor McGregor a holler there?