Beirne’s blood has always been green

– He may have a Welsh wife and even enjoyed a spell playing in the country but there will be no room for sentiment tomorrow for Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne as he bids to help his side make it three wins from three Six Nations matches with victory over Wales.

The 32-year-old second row has been in outstanding form, especially in the opening 38-17 hammering of France, and fully earned being rested for the 36-0 defeat of Italy a fortnight ago.

His evolution into becoming a stalwart of Andy Farrell’s Ireland side stemmed from making a bold move in 2016 to Welsh club Scarlets, after failing to break through at Leinster.

Not only did he help Scarlets win the 2017 Pro 12 title – ironically beating his present province Munster – but such was his form his then director of rugby Wayne Pivac tried to get him to stay on.

This was with a view to Beirne becoming qualified for Wales, due to the residency rule at the time.

Pivac was subsequently to take over at the helm of the Wales national team before being fired and Warren Gatland returned.

“I only ever wanted to play for Ireland, that was the reality,” said Beirne last year.

“And when it became a talking point that there was an opportunity to play for Ireland, the only thing I wanted to do was come back and play for Ireland.

“So I didn’t have a conversation with Warren (Gatland) but I did have a conversation with Wayne before I left Scarlets and he tried to encourage me to stay because he did say the World Cup was the following year (2019) and I’d be qualified for it and all that.

“But I think I’d made my decision before that. I wanted to wear green for the World Cup not to be in red.”

Beirne has had little reason to regret his call. Although sparingly used by Joe Schmidt, he has become a regular since Farrell took over after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

And what about his Harriet’s loyalties come Saturday? “My wife might be Welsh, but she’ll be wearing green,” he said.