Tries in first three matches

Snickers Man

Which international rugby player (since the war) has scored a try in each of his first three appearances for Ireland?

NB for Ireland. Senior team. Not a trick question about Lions or underage teams or anything like that.

Snickers Man

Snickers Man wrote: »

Which international rugby player (since the war) has scored a try in each of his first three appearances for Ireland?

NB for Ireland. Senior team. Not a trick question about Lions or underage teams or anything like that.

Is this so hard a question, or is it just that this forum is dominated by soccer fans?

Some clues then.

1) It wasn't that long ago because I can remember seeing him do it.

2) He shares his name with a reggae star.

Xavi6

Snickers Man wrote: »

Is this so hard a question, or is it just that this forum is dominated by soccer fans?

Some clues then.

1) It wasn't that long ago because I can remember seeing him do it.

2) He shares his name with a reggae star.

Bob Marley

Snickers Man

Xavi6 wrote: »

Bob Marley

Don't be silly.

Nobody called Marley has ever played rugby for Ireland.

Zaph

How about Peter Tosh then?

Snickers Man

zaph wrote: »

How about Peter Tosh then?

Sigh! We're going to be here for a while. And no, it's not Bunny Wailer either.

OK I'll describe him. (The reggae musician that is) Born in Guyana he came to the UK as a child and was in a band (never heard of them) which had a number 1 hit single in 1968. In 1982 he had a solo number one hit and in the following year he had another big hit, perhaps his most famous song, which was No 2 in both the US and UK.

But he's not really that famous unless you were around at the time.

As for the player. He was an Ulster winger.

Zaph

Ah, that's Eddy Grant, "Baby Come Back" was his number one with The Equals in 1968. Great song that was. His solo number one was "I Don't Wanna Dance", but most people remember him for "Electric Avenue".

No idea who the rugby player is.

Snickers Man

Correct!!!

Edwin Leslie "Eddie" Grant was an Ulster winger who played all four matches in the 5N in 1971 and scored a try in each of the first three, v France, England and Scotland.

The first two were interceptions which he ran in from his own half. The third, against Scotland, he finished off after a break by scrum half Roger Young.

These things get printed indelibly on your mind when you're not yet in your teens.

Incidentally that match against England at Lansdowne Road was one of only two matches Ireland lost at home for nine years between April 1967 and February 1976. The other was against the All Blacks in 1974. And against England we outscored them two tries to nil but were beaten by three penalties. With modern scoring values, we would have beaten them.

During that time too Australia, South Africa and New Zealand (again) came to Dublin and went away with a defeat and two draws respectively.

We were good then. But so were the Welsh and later the French, so we tend to be forgotten about.

Blisterman

My first thought, on hearing the Reggae Star hint was Shane "Shaggy" Horgan.

Snickers Man

Blisterman wrote: »

My first thought, on hearing the Reggae Star hint was Shane "Shaggy" Horgan.

You know, you're right!!

On checking the records I learn that Shane Horgan also scored tries in each of his first three internationals back in 2000, against Scotland, Italy and Wales. I knew he hadn't scored in the French match which came between Italy and Wales, but that's probably because he didn't play in it.

What a great opportunity for a question missed!!

Name two reggae stars whose namesakes scored a try for Ireland in each of their first three internationals.

File that one away for future use.