Simon Zebo reveals how mum’s cancer battle helped him become Munster legend

One of the most exciting players to ever pick up a ball in this country

'Zeebs', as he was known, was a rare breed in Irish rugby; a man who played to express himself on the pitch and bring flair to the game.

He ended up with 35 Ireland caps, and is Munster's record try scorer with 73, despite a stint in France with Racing 92.

Having retired he has put his time into his whiskey brand, Black Emerald, and his four children.

Speaking on the first episode of the Beyond the Game podcast, with Paul Cahill and his former Munster teammate Jonny Holland, the winger opened up about a leg break in his younger days which threatened to derail his rugby journey, and how his mother's battle with cancer inspired him to continue grafting.

When asked about the people who have shaped his life, Zebo answered:

"My uncle as well, after my leg break, was the one really to say, 'you are good enough' and have a real one on one intimate conversation and say 'this is what you've got to do if you want to be this, you know, you can't just mope and cry and feel sorry for yourself'.

"And my dad as well, has always given the confidence to be yourself.

"He's a kind of an outgoing person as well, a character..... Whether it's racial abuse, I could always go back to my dad and he'd always be the one to tell me, walk away or stay calm.

"Lots of things would test your character from a young age... and my sister was like my best friend."