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Rugby

03rd Nov 2016

No prizes for guessing which of the Irish rugby squad can slam dunk a basketball

Some of them look the part at Chicago Bulls' training centre

Conan Doherty

There are big men and then there are huge men. Then there’s Devin Toner.

Leinster’s mountain is tall, we all know that. Standing at almost 6 ft 11, the sight of the second row locked in arms shoulder hip to shoulder with his team mates during the national anthem never gets old.

And, sure, he could win a few lineouts and high balls and he can channel all that extraordinary beef into powerful momentum but could he do it when it really matters? Could he do it at Chicago Bulls’ training centre?

Ireland’s tour of the Windy City continues and, thankfully, photographers are tracking their every move so we don’t miss a peep.

Here they are getting onto a plane.

Jamie Heaslip and Craig Gilroy 31/10/2016

Here they are talking before they get onto a plane.

Sean Cronin, Robbie Henshaw and Rory Best 31/10/2016

Here they are acting natural and looking into the distance.

Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and Jamie Heaslip 1/11/2016

Here they are walking.

Rob Kearney, Craig Gilroy and Devin Toner 1/11/2016

An excited group photo.

The Ireland team at the Chicago Bulls training centre 2/11/2016

Shooting some hoops.

Craig Gilroy 2/11/2016

Having a laugh.

Josh van der Flier 2/11/2016

Getting bored now.

Jordi Murphy, John Ryan, Josh van der Flier and Luke McGrath 2/11/2016

You wouldn’t get bored of watching Devin Toner in full flight though. Back in his natural environment, the Castleknock College man was “draining buckets” as Cian Healy would put it, and it was a thing of beauty.

We’ll forgive him the criminal travelling steps.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMUQsK1gx3U/

He can do it from further back too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMUQspoBekJ/

Like to see Peter Stringer try this.

Colm O’Rourke and Pauric Mahony join Colm Parkinson on a packed GAA Hour that includes Dick Clerkin appreciation and Sean Cavanagh envy. Subscribe here on iTunes.