Connors Thunder Amongst Silence

WHEN even Johnny Sexton is thrown by the silence except for the anthems playing, you know it’s a big deal for the players.

- Michael Scully

The skipper admitted he mimed his way through most of it on Saturday, so self-conscious was he singing into the void at the Aviva Stadium.

Imagine, then, what it was like for the four Ireland debutants (below) lining up for Il Canto degli Italiani, then Amhran na bhFiann and finally Ireland’s Call.

“What will I remember? I suppose maybe the anthems and the silence,” admitted Will Connors.

“That was kind of difficult. As a young lad, you’re always in there and the place erupts when Amhran na bhFiann is playing. We’re trying to get the volume going there but you miss that. Everything was memorable.”