Rory Best on Refusing to Sing ‘Ireland’s Call’ and the Backlash He Faced
Rugby NewsThursday, 23 April 2026 at 20:27
Rory Best bowed out after the 2019 World Cup, bringing the curtain down on a stellar Ireland career defined by grit, leadership, and historic success.
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As captain, he steered his side to a Grand Slam, oversaw two landmark wins against the All Blacks, and lifted multiple trophies along the way.
A towering figure from Ulster, Best is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest captains. Yet, despite his achievements, his Northern Irish background has at times made him a lightning rod for criticism.
While it's understandable why Best doesn't sing "Amhrán na bhFiann" before Ireland's home matches, the 43-year-old has faced criticism for not singing "Ireland's Call" – a song created to represent the entire island of Ireland in rugby internationals – especially given his role as captain.
But Best has a fairly straightforward explanation for this, detailing his reasoning in an excellent interview with former teammate Darren Cave on The Rugby Pod.
“Look, the thing is, it’s so ironic that you get abused for it, and nobody’s ever stopped and asked you, ‘why don’t you sing it?’” Best said
“It goes back to my Ireland Schools’ days. And you know what it’s like playing Ireland’s Schools’, you know, you think it’s going to be the greatest honour you’re ever going to achieve. You’re playing for Ireland. Being from rugby families like we were, you’re going ‘this is incredible!’.
"You get so emotionally charged for it. And Ireland’s Call comes on that you’ve heard so many times in the old Lansdowne Road or watching on TV, and you’re belting it out.”
“And I remember we played France or England. Kicked off. I’m flying up going ‘the first guy is getting it!’. They catch it, kick it out, and I’m then turning around, running back to get a ball, still thinking ‘somebody’s gonna to get it’., and I fired this throw in and it went, like I sort of tell the story that it went three times the height of the person I was throwing it to, it wasn’t that bad! And it flew over the top.”
“From then on, I went, I can’t go into a game… because it’s so emotive to me, Ireland’s Call. And actually, even the tail end of the Irish national anthem, you know the way you get that build up for that crescendo at the end. They’re memories I have from going to the old Lansdowne Road to watch, this build up, and then the massive cheer, and then Ireland’s Call coming on.”
“The problem is then, I worry that it’s going to happen in a big game. That we’re going to kick off against the All Blacks, Beauden Barrett’s going to catch it, kick it out, and then I’m fully charged, trying to focus in. And it is such a core skill.
"It’s a bit like goalkicking, you have to get your heart rate down, you have to focus, get your breathing back, and focus for that split second to throw the perfect throw and that’s just why I did it. I don’t know whether it would affect me as much now."
Best Rugby Scrummagers Of All-Time (Ranked 15-1)
Scrummaging is the cornerstone of forward play in rugby, and throughout history, certain props have set the standard for dominance, technique, and consistency.
Here's a ranked list of the 15 best scrummaging props in rugby history, featuring detailed stats and achievements.
15. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Stats:
Bio:
Furlong blends power, agility, and scrummaging finesse. A cornerstone of Ireland’s set-piece dominance, he is renowned for his ability to disrupt opponents’ scrums and his sharp ball-handling skills. His humility and rugby intelligence make him one of the most respected props in the game.
Furlong blends power, agility, and scrummaging finesse. A cornerstone of Ireland’s set-piece dominance, he is renowned for his ability to disrupt opponents’ scrums and his sharp ball-handling skills. His humility and rugby intelligence make him one of the most respected props in the game.
14. Jason Leonard (England)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 120kg
- Club: Harlequins
- International Caps: 114
- Achievements: 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, England’s most-capped forward at retirement.
Bio:
Leonard’s career spanned 15 years, defined by his technical mastery and unyielding consistency. A scrummaging stalwart for England, his leadership and durability cemented him as one of the sport’s greats.
Leonard’s career spanned 15 years, defined by his technical mastery and unyielding consistency. A scrummaging stalwart for England, his leadership and durability cemented him as one of the sport’s greats.
13. Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 125kg
- Club: Leicester Tigers
- International Caps: 119
- Achievements: Key player for Italy, multiple European club successes with Leicester.
Bio:
Castri’s fiery passion and physical dominance transformed Italy’s scrummaging reputation. Known for his commitment and technical excellence, he remains a symbol of resilience and determination.
Castri’s fiery passion and physical dominance transformed Italy’s scrummaging reputation. Known for his commitment and technical excellence, he remains a symbol of resilience and determination.
12. Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 118kg
- Club: Leicester Tigers
- International Caps: 43
- Achievements: Crucial for Argentina at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, leader in scrummaging technique.
Bio:
Ayerza combined technical precision with relentless endurance. His work rate and scrummaging power established him as a key figure for both Argentina and Leicester Tigers.
Ayerza combined technical precision with relentless endurance. His work rate and scrummaging power established him as a key figure for both Argentina and Leicester Tigers.
11. Joe Marler (England)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.85m
- Weight: 120kg
- Club: Harlequins
- International Caps: 83+
- British & Irish Lions Tours: 2013, 2017
- Achievements: Six Nations Championships (2016, 2017, 2020), Rugby World Cup runner-up (2019), Premiership Rugby title with Harlequins (2021).
Bio:
Joe Marler is one of England’s most formidable scrummagers of the modern era. Renowned for his physical strength, uncompromising technique, and fierce competitiveness, Marler has anchored England’s front row for over a decade. Beyond scrummaging, he’s known for his vibrant personality and leadership within the squad. His durability and ability to perform under pressure make him a standout loosehead prop of his generation.
Joe Marler is one of England’s most formidable scrummagers of the modern era. Renowned for his physical strength, uncompromising technique, and fierce competitiveness, Marler has anchored England’s front row for over a decade. Beyond scrummaging, he’s known for his vibrant personality and leadership within the squad. His durability and ability to perform under pressure make him a standout loosehead prop of his generation.
10. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.85m
- Weight: 118kg
- Club: Crusaders
- International Caps: 108
- Achievements: 2011 & 2015 Rugby World Cup winner.
Bio:
“The Hobbit” was a scrummaging machine, combining technique and endurance. Franks’ consistency and low body position made him one of the most effective props in All Blacks history.
“The Hobbit” was a scrummaging machine, combining technique and endurance. Franks’ consistency and low body position made him one of the most effective props in All Blacks history.
9. Tom Smith (Scotland)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 115kg
- Club: Edinburgh Rugby
- International Caps: 61
- Achievements: British & Irish Lions tours, Scotland’s scrummaging leader.
Bio:
Smith’s technical brilliance defined Scotland’s scrummaging for years. His ability to anchor the front row and control the set-piece under pressure made him a standout.
Smith’s technical brilliance defined Scotland’s scrummaging for years. His ability to anchor the front row and control the set-piece under pressure made him a standout.
8. Andrew Sheridan (England)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.96m
- Weight: 125kg
- Club: Sale Sharks
- International Caps: 46
- Achievements: Renowned scrummager in England’s early 2000s golden era.
Bio:
Sheridan was a blend of size, power, and technique, making him one of the most feared looseheads of his time. His ability to dominate scrums made him a crucial weapon for England.
Sheridan was a blend of size, power, and technique, making him one of the most feared looseheads of his time. His ability to dominate scrums made him a crucial weapon for England.
7. Phil Vickery (England)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 118kg
- Club: Gloucester Rugby
- International Caps: 73
- Achievements: Captain of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side.
Bio:
Vickery’s leadership and scrummaging skill were key to England’s early 2000s success. His rugged presence and technical control made him an indispensable front-row leader.
Vickery’s leadership and scrummaging skill were key to England’s early 2000s success. His rugged presence and technical control made him an indispensable front-row leader.
6. Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.91m
- Weight: 130kg
- Club: Stormers
- International Caps: 80
- Achievements: 2019 & 2023 Rugby World Cup winner.
Bio:
Malherbe is one of the most consistent tightheads in rugby history. His scrummaging dominance and strength were vital to South Africa’s World Cup victories, earning him a reputation as one of the best ever.
Malherbe is one of the most consistent tightheads in rugby history. His scrummaging dominance and strength were vital to South Africa’s World Cup victories, earning him a reputation as one of the best ever.
5. Jean-Pierre Garuet (France)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.85m
- Weight: 118kg
- Club: Stade Français
- International Caps: 50
- Achievements: Icon of French scrummaging in the 1990s.
Bio:
Garuet’s technique and resilience made him a cornerstone of French rugby. His performances for Stade Français and France made him one of the greatest scrummaging props of his generation.
Garuet’s technique and resilience made him a cornerstone of French rugby. His performances for Stade Français and France made him one of the greatest scrummaging props of his generation.
4. Adam Jones (Wales)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 120kg
- Club: Ospreys
- International Caps: 95
- Achievements: British & Irish Lions tours, cornerstone of Wales’ dominant scrummaging era.
Bio:
Jones’ scrummaging skill and durability made him one of the most respected props of his generation, representing Wales and the British & Irish Lions with distinction.
Jones’ scrummaging skill and durability made him one of the most respected props of his generation, representing Wales and the British & Irish Lions with distinction.
3. Os du Randt (South Africa)
Stats:
- Position: Loosehead Prop
- Height: 1.85m
- Weight: 120kg
- Club: Free State Cheetahs
- International Caps: 80
- Achievements: 1995 & 2007 Rugby World Cup winner.
Bio:
Known as "The Ox," du Randt was a powerhouse in scrums, integral to South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 1995 and 2007. His unmatched durability and strength made him one of the greatest tightheads ever.
Known as "The Ox," du Randt was a powerhouse in scrums, integral to South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 1995 and 2007. His unmatched durability and strength made him one of the greatest tightheads ever.
2. Ox Nche (South Africa)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.85m
- Weight: 118kg
- Club: Sharks
- International Caps: 50+
- Achievements: 2023 Rugby World Cup winner, renowned for modern scrummaging mastery.
Bio:
Ox Nche has emerged as one of the modern era’s finest scrummagers. His low body position, incredible strength, and ability to destabilize opponents have made him a cornerstone for the Springboks. Key in South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, Nche has earned a reputation as one of the most dominant tightheads of the 21st century.
Ox Nche has emerged as one of the modern era’s finest scrummagers. His low body position, incredible strength, and ability to destabilize opponents have made him a cornerstone for the Springboks. Key in South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, Nche has earned a reputation as one of the most dominant tightheads of the 21st century.
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
Stats:
- Position: Tighthead Prop
- Height: 1.83m
- Weight: 115kg
- Club: Sharks
- International Caps: 117
- Achievements: 2007 & 2019 Rugby World Cup winner, one of rugby’s most feared scrummagers.
Bio:
“The Beast” was an unstoppable force in the scrum, a key factor in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup wins in 2007 and 2019. His scrummaging technique and physical dominance set the benchmark for tightheads globally.
“The Beast” was an unstoppable force in the scrum, a key factor in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup wins in 2007 and 2019. His scrummaging technique and physical dominance set the benchmark for tightheads globally.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
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