Mayo man instrumental to Irish rugby season

Before the new season starts, we take a look back: The rugby year could not find a more dramatic end. With the last kick of the ball, Ireland triumphed over back-to-back World Champions South Africa. The players celebrating and the joy in their faces showed everyone, how much it meant to these boys. An emotional rugby year ended on a high.

As the curtain has fallen on the season, The Mayo News sat down with Westport native and former Connacht prop Jamie Dever, to look back on Ireland's performance in a year jam-packed with drama.

“Irish rugby was in the best place ever,” says Dever reminiscing on the mood before the World Cup last autumn. “They were ranked number one going into a World Cup, having won the Six Nations Grand Slam, all four provinces doing well. Young guys coming through the system, not just the same old heads.”

Ireland manager Andy Farrell and his men went into the season being aware of the historic opportunity at their hands. A famous ad campaign captured the mood in urging people to “Don't jinx it”. But if we are honest to ourselves: We all thought they would go to France and return with the Webb Ellis Cup. But, again, as so many times before, the journey ended prematurely at the quarter-final stage at the hands of New Zealand. A downer, especially after beating South Africa in the group stage. Confidence was rising high.

“I thought: They're on the money. There's no chance they can lose. And then, maybe the pressure got to them. Maybe the occasion got to them. It must have been some sort of mental battle, playing against the All Blacks in a quarterfinal. I was disappointed for all those guys and the Irish team as a whole” explains Dever.

Crawley replaces Sexton

Obviously the World Cup was Jonny Sexton's last stand. Many will say Ireland's best player ever retired after the tournament. With Jack Crowley taking over, all eyes were on the Munster fly-half when the Six Nations rolled around in February. With Crowley at the helm, we might have yet another era at our hands, says Jamie Dever, explaining that the 24-year-old definitely benefits from being surrounded by vastly experienced team mates and partnerships from his province Munster:

“Crawley is an excellent addition to Irish rugby. He's obviously learned a huge amount from Sexton And he obviously has good guys around him. He obviously plays day in, day out with Craig Casey and Conor Murray in Munster, the probably most experienced nine in the world, and guys like that are giving him constant feedback. And then there are three world-class centres on the Ireland team with Bundee Aki, Gary Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw. There's just so much class around him that he does not take on the burden of looking after the team as a whole.”

Jack Crawley was able to concentrate on his role: “He could probably just play the game himself, and showcase his own skills and play with a little bit of individual flair rather than having to be the driver of the team, as Sexton had to when he came on the scene.”

It speaks volumes for the healthy state of Irish rugby, that fresh talent is coming through the ranks and making an impact on the highest level. Leinster's second-row monster Joe McCarthy is another example.

Mayo man is Mr Reliable

And it all worked out really well for the Six Nations title defence this year. Only a first back-to-back Grand Slam eluded Andy Farrell's men. The away match in Twickenham was lost to a pumped up England side, who simply wanted the win more on the day.

Instrumental in winning the Six Nations again, and bouncing back in style from a disappointing World Cup, was Lacken native Caelan Doris. The number eight even captained Ireland in the Italy match, as the first Mayo man ever. Most impressively: Doris does not miss any matches. He is Mr. Reliable as the 26-year-old last missed an Ireland match four years ago. And during the Grand Slam win 2023, the World Cup and this years Six Nations, he started almost all of the matches:

“Caelan has been fantastic, the guy's a beast” says Dever: “When have we not seen him available and fit and ready for games? And another thing: How consistent is he? Performance-wise, he's probably averaging eight to nine out of ten. Doris is probably going to end up being Lions captain. He is now recognized as one of the world's best players.”

Farrell's philosophy

This ties in Andy Farrell's overall philosophy. Players physical and mental health is paramount, which leads to players like Doris, or Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham performing in such a consistent manner.

“Irish rugby is in a good place. Financially, there is no expense spared regarding the medical staff and caring for players' health. Anything to do with the performance gets done. It is credit to Irish rugby because they've kept so many of those world-class guys fit and healthy while at the same time still playing a lot of rugby week in, week out with the club. When there's an Irish game coming up, you can basically pick the team sheet, you can nearly pick a match day 23.”

And restriction is not key here. Dever points out, for the management team, it's all about self-empowerment.

“Look at Doris again. He is a real good professional, but he enjoys downtime, he enjoys having a drink or two. It's a constant lifestyle, but they have a great social life balance. They allow guys to go out and, and have a few drinks, they allow guys to enjoy the moment.”

And it seems there will be many memorable days to come for Irish rugby. With most players still well around, the medical staff working their magic, Dever sees no reason why the likes of James Lowe, Robbie Henshaw or alike should not be fit and ready for the World Cup 2027 in Australia.