"I'm surprised England talisman isn't a d***head - everyone loves him"
The British and Irish Lions squad has spent several weeks together and Ireland's Dan Sheehan has joked that he's been surprised that by Ellis Genge - who he thought could've been a d***head
British and Irish Lions star Dan Sheehan has been taken aback by new team-mate Ellis Genge and admits he's surprised "that he's not a dickhead.' The Ireland hooker and the England prop - rivals in recent years - are now colleagues.
Sheehan has become one of the world's best in his position and is among the frontrunners to start the First Test in Australia. Genge, one of the talismanic leaders for England, is pushing his case to get the nod at prop and the Irishman has been pleasantly surprised by his foe turned friend.
Andy Farrell's Lions squad is Irish heavy but Genge is one of a number of Englishman in the squad and was a standout during Friday night's disappointing loss to Argentina in Dublin.
The Bristol Bears star has been a divisive character and is known for his aggression. Sheehan admits he is someone he and the Irish would target when they clash in the Six Nations. But those battles are put aside this summer with the whole squad embracing each other.
Sheehan said: 'It's mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them! It's probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes, you can turn on the hatred when you want it.
'Genge is obviously a passionate, animated player for England and someone who we, as Ireland, would consider as a talisman and someone, in an Irish jersey, we'd need to target.
'He's one person you enjoy having on the team. And he's a funny bloke off the pitch. I think everyone loves him. You can see the passion he brings to meetings, to pitch straight in and scrum. He's one person you enjoy having on your side now. He's very real and says it how it is. He's definitely someone that surprises you that he's not a d***head.'
Genge has long been loved and admired by those who know him intimately. Footage has showed the English star taking a leadership role before Friday's clash, barking orders during the team huddle in the dressing room.
Sheehan watched on for that clash given he had just played in a final with Leinster six days earlier, which saw them win the URC. The Ireland hooker has recently become the forward with the most tries in Six Nations history such is his quality in attack.
He is likely to get his first run out on Saturday when the Lions play their first match on Australian soil against the Western Force in Perth - something he is relishing. He said: 'I feel sometimes if you haven't played yet you feel like a bit of an imposter. I want to feel I can contribute to the jersey just as others have had their chance.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
28 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Shearer to attempt British solo shearing record in Powys
A 27-year-old Mid Wales shearer will attempt to beat a solo shearing record in Powys next month. Huw Jones, from Abergynolwyn, near Tywyn, will attempt the eight-hour solo ewe British record. Huw's record attempt will take place at Hendreseifion Farm, Llanwrin, near Machynlleth, on Saturday, July 5, beginning at 5am. Live streaming will be available through the Huw Jones - 8 hours British Shearing Record Attempt Facebook page, where Huw explains that he will try to beat the solo record currently held by Martin Howlett. In recent years, many shearing record attempts have been attempted, including Lloyd Rees in 2022, who broke the nine-hour British solo record at Blaenbwch Farm, near Builth Wells. These feats have inspired Huw, who said: 'Seeing Matt Smith, Rowland Smith, Gareth Daniel and Ian Jones achieve their records planted a thought in my mind that I would like to do something like that one day, but realised I was years away from it. 'I finally achieved a long-term goal two years ago in New Zealand, shearing 554 lambs in eight hours. 'But I still wasn't satisfied. I wanted to do 600, so when I got home, I asked my brother if I could try and do a personal best on his sheep. He agreed and in July 2023, I shorn 704 ewes in nine hours. 'That was the big motivation to attempt a record. I set my goal for about two years and chose the record I wanted to attempt to break.' For approximately six months of the year, Huw's normal shearing routine sees him split time between the UK and New Zealand. The rest of the year he is on the family farm, along with some contract sheep dipping alongside his brother. 'Farming has always been my main passion,' said Huw. 'I would always be outside farming with my parents and when staying with my grandparents. Luckily for us, mum and dad have always included me and my brother in a lot of farming decisions from a young age (sometimes too young), but it helped us learn how important it is to consider all aspects before making a decision.' Shearing normally starts for Huw at the end of April, in England, before coming back home to Wales to shear from the end of May. Huw shears with his friend Gwydion and they've shorn together for several years on local farms. The aim is always to finish shearing at the Royal Welsh Show just outside Builth so he can enjoy the week. An agricultural engineering graduate from Harper Adams University, Huw added: 'I have a few proud moments in shearing, and winning the Senior Championship in Corwen Shears was a personal highlight. 'There are many shearers and people outside of shearing who have inspired me in different ways, but for me, Rowland Smith has always been a big inspiration. 'Not only is he an outstanding shearer in shows, records and in the shed, but he also has an incredible work ethic. 'I could never manage lamb shearing until I watched 'Rowly' shear lambs in front of me; that is when I finally stopped making excuses of being too tall for lambs and found a way to get it done.' Proceeds from the event will be shared between the Wales Air Ambulance and Aberdyfi Search and Rescue charities.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Hire a helicopter to take you to this massive UK event next week
Hire a helicopter to take you to this massive UK event next week The weekend will include a number of special appearances - but it's notoriously hard to get to If you want to beat the traffic queues next weekend then there is one way which could help you to avoid the roads altogether (Image: 2021 Getty Images ) For people wanting to dodge the traffic at the British Grand Prix next week, then there's one way you can get to London without tackling the crowds in train stations or the cars on the new private aviation partner for Silverstone, Air Charter will be running what they describe as 'more affordable helicopter shuttles', from Turweston Airfield, allowing fans to avoid the nightmarish traffic over the weekend. The company will also be running the hospitality at the new look heliport terminal at the circuit for the British Grand Prix next week. Some of their prices include: Battersea Heliport to Silverstone (from £12,500* return): Duration of 25 mins The time saved vs. driving in traffic: is approximately 5-8 hours Cliveden House, Berkshire, to Silverstone (from £10,200* return): Duration of 25 mins. Time saved vs. driving in traffic is approximately 2-4 hours Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, to Silverstone(from £9,000* return): Duration of 25 minutes. Time saved vs. driving in traffic: Approximately 2-4 hours Birmingham Airport to Silverstone (from £9,300* return): Duration of 20 minutes. Time saved vs driving in traffic is approximately 2-4 hours The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is one of the biggest racing events in British motorsport, and there is lots going on this year, from Formula 1 racing, support racing and post-race concerts. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The weekend will also feature UK artists, with Sam Fender headlining the opening concert and Fatboy Slim performing after the race. Whether you have tickets for qualifying or race day, you can make your journey there one to remember by chartering a helicopter to Silverstone with Air Charter Service according to the company. You can still grab tickets on the Grand Prix Events website here, as well as resale tickets via Viagogo here. Viagogo and resale tickets Sites such as viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admittance to gigs. Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused. And if you're part of the majority who may not be able to get there via helicopter, according to the most convenient way to get to the event is by using Park and Ride or train services to avoid traffic congestion. All you have to do is park your car at a designated off-site location and take a free shuttle bus to the circuit as this avoids traffic congestion around Silverstone. Article continues below You could also travel to a nearby train station such as Banbury, Milton Keynes Central, or Northampton and then take a taxi or bus to the circuit.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Denis Villeneuve to direct new James Bond film
In a statement, Villeneuve described himself as a 'die-hard' James Bond fan. 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery,' he said. 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honour the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. 'This is a massive responsibility, but also incredibly exciting for me and a huge honour.' Amazon MGM Studios sets Denis Villeneuve as director of next James Bond film. Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside Tanya Lapointe. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers. — Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) June 26, 2025 Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside his wife Tanya Lapointe. It marks the latest step in a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise, following Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson handing over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios as part of a lucrative deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the Broccoli family, long the force behind the Bond films, agreed to co-own the intellectual property and granted Amazon the ability to move forward without their creative approval. In March, Spider-Man's Amy Pascal and Harry Potter's David Heyman were announced as new producers. The pair have consistently maintained that they would secure a director and develop a screenplay before casting the next super spy. Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said he was 'honoured' to have the acclaimed director on board. 'He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From Blade Runner 2049 to Arrival to the Dune films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and—most importantly—the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theatres,' he said. 'James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007's next adventure.'
