Alex Nankivell: 'Tadhg Beirne has this farmer strength, he's unbelievable'

Tadhg Beirne has been, and continues to be, a colossus for club, country and for the British and Irish Lions despite turning the grand old age of 34 last January.

Munster's Alex Nankivell. Pic: Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag/Inpho

He’s been in Ireland over two-and-a-half years now, and a 50th appearance for Munster is coming this weekend away to Exeter Chiefs, but so many of Alex Nankivell’s reference points continue to take him back to his native New Zealand.

Thirty this October, he thinks back to his days with the Chiefs when some of the older brigade - Aaron Cruden for one - would stretch their training days that bit longer to include more prehab and rehab. Now here he is at the same stage.