BILLY HOLAND
‘I wouldn’t be left next or near the stereo’
I knew Anthony Foley from an early age. He was ahead of his time. I learnt an enormous amount from him
1. What’s your pre-training routine?
I drink a litre of water on the way up from Cork and then I will do some of my own mobility, just loosen up the hips.
2. You’re in charge of the aftermatch tunes, what goes on first?
I’m never in charge, I wouldn’t be let next to or near the stereo.
3. Imagine a world that you’re not a rugby player – what’s your job?
I’d probably be a boring old engineer or something like that.
4. Stranded on a desert island, what three things do you take?
I’d bring a sharp knife, a desalination device to change salt water into drinking water and an endless supply of matches.
5. Which team-mate would you want with you and why?
None of them I’d say! Maybe somebody like Peter O’Mahony, I reckon he’d be good for hunting and a bit of heavy lifting around the place.
6. What’s your favourite Instagram page you follow and why?
I’d love to own a boat sometime, I love looking at anything to do with boats.
7 What do you do when not training or playing a match?
My hobbies are very simple at the moment, I just spend time with friends and family or going out for dinner.
8. What’s your first sporting memory as a player or spectator?
I remember going to a Con game years ago. I was on the sideline, someone made a tackle into touch and I ended up at the bottom of it all. It nearly killed me but I’m still here to tell the tale.
9. You have one moment from your career to do over. What is it?
I really regret the two finals we lost against Glasgow and Scarlets, I’m not sure what I’d do differently though...the Racing game last year as well.
10. What rugby skill would you most like to possess?
A sidestep would be great.
11. Favourite song lyric?
‘Come out of things unsaid, Shoot an apple off my head, Trouble that can’t be named, a tiger’s waiting to be tamed.’ ‘Clocks’ by Coldplay
12. What current player in your position do you most admire?
Sam Whitelock. Brodie Retallick gets all the plaudits, but Whitelock makes them tick. He’s a class lineout operator and is effective around the pitch. He goes about his business quietly.
13. What former coach has had the biggest effect on your game and why?
Anthony Foley. I had him at such an early age and he was actually years ahead of his time. I certainly learnt an enormous amount from him. He was tough and had a massive effect onme.
14. What was your first car?
A road-hugging purple Toyota Corolla. I had it for years, then my brother and sister had. It was about 20 years old and never once broke down.
15. What sporting event makes your bucket list?
I would love to go to the 100m final of the Olympics, I know it’s so short but it would just be amazing to see these athletes.
16. One minute to go in the Champions Cup final, your team is four points down back on your own line. What do you do?
It’s something we train for. You have to stick to your shape, stick to your pattern and you get through the phases.
17. What was the last concert you went to?
Coldplay in Croke Park. It was the most incredible two hours of music I’ve ever experienced, I haven’t been to one since and I probably won’t go to another because I don’t think it will ever live up to it.
18. Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I was a bit of a nerd in school. I was a bit of a jock-nerd, a confused nerd who was good at sport.
19. What’s your best memory playing rugby for Munster?
Playing the All Blacks back in 2008. I was on the bench. I wasn’t expecting to play and I ended up playing 60 minutes. That was incredible, a match I’ll never forget.
20. Who’ll win the 2019 PRO14, Champions Cup and Rugby World Cup?
Munster, Munster and Ireland.