We guess it’s a compliment.
Joe Schmidt was grilled by various journalists [including ourselves] today as the Six Nations official launch takes place in London.
The Ireland head coach and his captain Rory Best faced the media for the first time since the squad for next month’s was announced.
Best was a hugely popular choice to succeed Paul O’Connell and he, along with Sean O’Brien, are known to be big fans of the rural way of life.
Last year the Ulster man and the Leinster flanker took a day off during the World Cup to take in some sights and sounds at a “grass management farm”.
And today, continuing the agricultural theme, Schmidt was full of praise for the Ulster front-rower, but may have chosen his words more carefully to compliment the 33-year-old.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt describes "gentleman farmer" Rory Best as a "consummate professional" in explaining his selection as captain.
— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) January 27, 2016
Gentleman farmer is obviously a nice thing to say about anyone, but in terms of leading a group of men into battle, you don’t want a gentleman, you want a bloody savage don’t you?
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