Steely Strauss relishing ‘special’ chance

It will come as a surprise if the strains of Edith Piaf’s voice can’t be heard when RTÉ’s pre-match build-up turns its focus on Richardt Strauss tomorrow evening.

You don’t have to speak much French to know that “Je ne regrette rien” is tailor-made for a man who, whatever about his innermost thoughts, has all but dismissed the significance of making his full Test debut against his native country this weekend.

“I made my commitment to Ireland three years ago and I’m just very happy to get this opportunity,” the Leinster hooker said yesterday. “For me, it’s probably more special just to run out for Ireland than anything else. I would have taken it if it was against an U13 ‘B’ team.”