A unique tour.
Andrew Porter has got to know a few new faces over the last couple of weeks.
Having been selected for a second Lions squad, after missing the 2021 tour through injury, Ireland and Leinster’s premier loosehead got to meet his teammates two weeks ago.
The best of the best from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales convened in London ahead of the summer tour to Australia, all in great spirits, having been chosen for one of the sport’s highest individual honours.
But these fellow elite athletes were far from the most significant new acquaintances Porter has made recently.
A little smaller in stature than the likes of Ellis Genge and Pierre Schoeman, but a lot more important, the 29-year-old got to meet his new baby son on the weekend.
Having been very open and inspiring about the two miscarriages his wife, Elaine, suffered in 2024, few are more deserving of this recent good fortune than Porter.
On the Lions meeting in London, he said: “I wouldn’t have known many of them too well. You know them from playing against them, you might have had a pint or two with them after one of the games.
“A lot of the Irish lads would have had great connections and great relationships with the lads who have been on previous tours.
“That’s the kind of beauty of the Lions or so I’ve been told. I can’t speak from previous experiences.
“It’s one of those teams you create those relationships with those players from different countries.
“Ieaun Evans, our tour manager, and ex-Lions, he mentioned that it is one of the greatest achievements in the world, that brings together the four nations, and creates those lifelong friendships, and lifelong memories.”
Also selected at prop were the aforementioned Genge and Schoeman, as well as tightheads, Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart, and Zander Fagerson.
By his own admission, Porter describes himself as being a bit weird, but was pleased to find out that he is in good company with his fellow front rowers.
He continued: “Yeh I think the front row are a bit strange in their own ways, we arall kind of quite similar, we’re an odd bunch. They’re all great lads.
“Zander Fagerson, Will Stuart as well, there’s great characters, great personaltities.
“You’re learning from the best in the business, you’re up against them in the Six Nations and with your club, trying to get one up on them, but now it’s like you learn from each other, you learn from your teammates.
“I suppose you pool your resources, and it’s going to be incredibly exciting getting to do that.”
Any pre-conceived notions were also thrown out the window in London.
Players could be forgiven for having certain opinions on their competitors, having inflicted so much pain on each other, both mentally and physically, for both club and for country.
For the Leinster cohort, which is significant, it had to have stung seeing the cheery faces of Northampton foes who put an end to their Champions Cup hopes a few weeks ago.
From this rugby fan’s perspective, the likes of Maro Itoje or Henry Pollock would understandably wind one up and give off a certain impression.
But any such beliefs were soon cast aside, as Porter describes: “It’s all the lads you’re playing against, trying to knock chunks out of in the Six Nations and in the Champions Cup as well.
“I think everyone has this perception of other teams, like ‘I would have thought you were a bit of a dickhead, but you’re a sound fella’.
“It’s great being able to get to know all the different players from the different nations and different clubs as well, it was a great few days over there.”
Leading high-protein performance brand Grenade has launched its latest campaign – “Join the Revolution” – a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting grassroots sports across Ireland. As part of the campaign, Grenade will sponsor kits for 20 sports teams, offering them full branded kits, product hampers, and custom team banners to supercharge their community spirit and performance.
Fronting the campaign is Irish rugby player Andrew Porter, Grenade ambassador. Porter, known for his powerhouse performances on the field and his advocacy for mental health, is lending his voice to support local clubs that are often the heartbeat of Irish towns and communities.
