Fez, POM or… Simon.
Not as catchy a name but Easterby was no less valuable to the Irish back row than the other two bruisers.
The latest selections to Ireland’s Greatest XV of the Professional Era are the Munster duo of Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan, who just edged out Malcolm O’Kelly in our public vote.
Next up, we are filling our blindside slot. Here are the worthy candidates.
Simon Easterby made his Ireland debut with Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Shane Horgan and John Hayes. Incredible to think of. Scored eight tries in 65 Irish Tests – during the Triple Crown-winning era – and played twice for the British & Irish Lions.
When he was fit, he was world-class. For a five-year period, Stephen Ferris was up there with Jerome Kaino as the best blindside in the game. Played 35 times for Ireland, scoring two tries, selected on the Lions Tour to South Africa and won a Grand slam in 2009.
Paul O’Connell recalls seeing teenage Peter O’Mahony playing for Munster A and knowing he would one day represent his country. The Munster captain has played 30 times for Ireland since his debut in 2012. Started nine of 10 Six Nations Tests in 2014 and 2015 as Ireland claimed back-to-back championships.
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