‘The Leicester Lip’ should have kept it buttoned on this occasion.
There is nothing Irish rugby players look forward to more than the opportunity to take down England, especially when the Auld Enemy are strutting around like peacocks.
Eddie Jones was making no apologies for looking beyond Ireland, and another possible Grand Slam, to world champions New Zealand.
If only they had focused on the job at hand, or kept their focus when a pumped up Ireland had them rattled.
Joe Schmidt’s men ended England’s winning run at 18 after their four-point triumph. They also made a cocky pre-match prediction from Austin Healey look particularly foolish:
England by 23
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) March 18, 2017
The tweet copped the former England back some flak online but went viral thanks to Brian O’Driscoll quoting the tweet and sharing on his own timeline.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/bGSRztbSOI
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) March 18, 2017
In fairness to Healey, he did not back down and responded to many of those that had tweeted him with their choice comments.
https://twitter.com/tadhgie16/status/843196306780774400
no
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) March 18, 2017
@RonanOGara10 said Brian "thumped the head off ya", on radio
— Kenny Gaughan (@manwith3buttock) March 19, 2017
O’Driscoll did wail on Healey during a sparring session on the 2001 Lions Tour but while the fight was stopped, and the Irishman awarded the victory, Healey was not knocked out.
Small comforts…
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