THE sponsors call it the ‘Team of Us’ – Finlay Bealham reckons it is the team of WWE.
His wrestling tag team partner Craig Casey is missing the Six Nations through injury but that does not mean that WWE, or action, is off limits.
Connacht tighthead Bealham said: “Craig and I are both big fans of wrestling. I was a different era to him.
“I was kinda the late ’90s, early 2000s and he’s a bit newer so we’ve trying to blend our favourite wrestlers together. It’s been something we’ve had to work at.
“I like the old-school wrestlers. I like the Undertaker, he was a big favourite of mine. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane.
“I wouldn’t really watch it now because I’m a father and I have to kinda act as an adult.
“But when I was younger and didn’t have as much responsibility, I had more time to put my focus and attention into wrestling.”
And wrestling is so big within the Ireland camp that there are occasionally shows up on by masked men. But under absolutely no circumstances is Bealham, 33, part of the show.
Tongue in cheek, he said: “It’s not me, but some masked wrestlers might come in and put on a little show.
“The lads seem to like it but, again, I don’t know who those wrestling superstars are.”
Does a rugby background help with the wrestling moves?
He added: “Maybe just my long hair, because wrestlers have long hair.
“Other that that, I’m trying to think… I’ve never seen a wrestler do a scrum entry. Maybe one day we might see that, from a masked wrestler, who is unknown to us.”
But Bealham is glad that the masked men who in no way resemble him get some acclaim in a squad where being yourself off the pitch is viewed as crucial to being yourself on it.
And Simon Easterby stepping up as head coach this year while Andy Farrell takes the Lions has not changed it.
He said: “We have a really good environment here. Faz (Andy Farrell) obviously isn’t here now but he encourages everyone to come in from day one and be yourself.
“I don’t know if I’d show up to my first day in wrestling gear, maybe don’t do that, but you try to be yourself as much as you can and all the lads are good craic.
“From day one, it’s just an expectation to be yourself and bring what you’ve got to the table.
“Some people are different in their own individual ways, and some live in the awkward and some are a bit weird, but it’s a great bunch of players and coaches and managers we have.
“There’s such a special bond we have. It’s truly special. We welcome all the weirdness with open arms.”
WEIRD ONES
So who is the weirdest? Bealham ponders the question for a while. Or the second weirdest?
He added: “There are so many weird people. Pete (O’Mahony) was saying the last day, he thinks he’s one of the most normal in the team and he got shut down very quick.
“Pete is a weirdo.”
So not so much the Team of Us or the Team of WWE, but a team of weirdos. But also one that rows in together.
Were it not for Tadhg Furlong, he would likely have many more than the 46 caps he has won in his nine years in Ireland.
But there is no rivalry, with Bealham disappointed that Furlong is injured himself this week and keen that Thomas Clarkson backing him up settles in quickly.
He said: “I’ve learned loads from Tadhg over the years. I’m really thankful for him.
“I remember a few years ago we used to sit down and watch training together and he would be talking about things he would be doing around the pitch and reviewing sessions together.
“The culture that we have, it’s the way we do it here, that we’re all sharing the knowledge, which has been so beneficial to me, learning what I have from Tadhg.
“We’re all aligned and it’s all team-first. When we’re reviewing we have really good discussions, and it’s really valuable.
“I’m the kinda father, the older man of the group. We’ve got the two young lads, Jack (Aungier) and Tommy, and they’re both doing really well.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
But Bealham knows there is a lot expected from him today as Ireland kick off their bid for a third Six Nations title in a row against England, and their formidable scrum.
He said: “First game, Six Nations, at home, in front of our family and friends. It’s going to be unbelievable.
“I know I’m going to have all of my family there, and aiming to do them and our fans and the country proud.
“I think England have a really strong scrum, after watching them in the autumn series. They scrummed really well against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
“They’ve always had a really well-drilled scrum, but over the autumn they looked really impressive.”
