Vikings, Valhalla and Metallica - Bealham steps up

Metallica, Vikings and Valhalla, it's not often you hear those words coming out of an Ireland rugby player's mouth.

Step forward prop forward Finlay Bealham, who is finding a new lease of life as starting forward in this Guinness Six Nations.

Bealham moved to Ireland from Australia 13 years ago and with both parents having Irish heritage, he fitted straight into the Irish way of life.

But he spent his formative years in Canberra and there's no doubt he's cut from a different cloth than the majority of professional players in Ireland.

"I came over as a teenager," he says of his move to the northern hemisphere aged 18.

"I came over a lot as a kid for holidays, but just myself as a teenager it was quite daunting at the time.

"Now all the hard work that's gone in, all the struggle and being away from family and friends I’d known as a kid just to pursue a dream of being a professional rugby player…fast forward a few years and Six Nations games, it’s crazy.

"Sometimes you take a step back and although I’m getting older still feel there is a lot in the tank and a lot I can give to playing with the green jersey of Ireland and Connacht as well."

With increased participation - the Connacht man had started just four of his 27 caps before this tournament, including one at loosehead - comes increased interest.

But first things first. What's the story with the hair?

"Yeah, I’m a big fan of Vikings and stuff like that, same as Ports [Andrew Porter]," he says to reporters when asked about his braided locks.

"Ports has a bit of a mohawk going on, I have the braids in, like Ivar the Boneless or Ragnar Lothbrok, that’s where I took it from.

"I feel like it’s part of the process. When the hair is done it’s getting close to game-time, getting close to going to Valhalla.

"I suppose I just enjoyed the show [The History channel's Vikings, shot in Wicklow] that they filmed here.

"They’re coming into battle and they have all the lids done, so I suppose it’s similar in a way, we’re going into battle at the weekend and I get my lid done as well.

"Lots of people have been asking when I’m going to cut my hair, but I won’t be cutting it anytime soon."

There's a quote from South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the Chasing the Sun documentary where he explains his mindset during games as like "a random guy coming into my house...and living my life. I'd rather die than let that happen".

It's good to get inside the mind of an Ireland player. It doesn't happen that often.

And then there's the headbanging to go with the hair.

There was a spell, when Porter, who won his 50th cap against France, first came on the scene, the Aviva Stadium PA often blasted out Metallica's Enter Sandman as the teams walked onto the pitch.

The Dubliner denied having any influence on the DJ set but the Leinster prop and Bealham have more in common than rugby position and love of Viking folklore.

"No. It would be too heavy for all the boys," he replies when asked if he ever gets to choose the music.

"Me and Ports would have a few similarities, music is one of them.

"Just heavy, scream music that only a certain percentage of the population get. Proper heavy. I like Metallica and all that kind of stuff.

"Depends on the mood you’re in as well. I’ll listen to a bit of UB40 or Bob Marley when I’m chilling. But not house, I never listen to house."

There's heavy metal and then there's heavy lifting and Bealham, as he enters prime prop forward years, has announced himself in this World Cup year.

The absence of a player of the calibre of Tadhg Furlong would be a cause of concern for any team but the Australian-born tighthead has, over the last two weeks, done more to alleviate fans' worries about squad depth than anyone could have predicted.

Lock out the scrum, lift your jumper, get the grunt work in around the pitch and that's a good shift. Nobody would have expected more from the 31-year-old deputy to the six-Test Lion Furlong, who continues to recover from a calf issue.

So when Johnny Sexton said that he had full confidence that the understudies would take their opportunity, he wasn't lying.

What about that assist for Hugo Keenan's try, a pass that the playmaker in Furlong would have been proud of?

"We had practised that a few times over the course of the last few weeks and I’d be lying if I said was perfect the whole time," says the Buccaneers prop, who has racked up over 150 appearances for Connacht and made his Irish debut in 2016.

"Fortunately, it worked in the game and Hugo ran a brilliant line, pace all the way it was an amazing run.

"I suppose the days of props are putting the head down and not touching the ball for 80 minutes is long gone.

"It’s good to be involved in the game, no matter what number you have on your back.

"You are expected to do the same roles as some of the backs who are a lot more skillful so it’s really good for me to be involved in the game get my hands on the ball and still do the heavy work up the front. It’s the best of both worlds.

"When I came in for the Wales game I had it in my head that I wasn’t going to be like Tadhg, I was going to try and be like Finlay and play my game.

"Tadhg is a British and Irish Lion, he’s a world class and in my opinion might be the best tighthead in the world so there’s big shoes to fill but he’s been good for me by helping me in all parts of my game, making sure I’m ready to go physically, mentally, how I am.

"He’s been keeping contact with me over the last few weeks. I’m always thankful for all the advice he has given me.

"[Starting] is a different role than coming off the bench but fortunately when I’ve been at Connacht I’ve been starting a fair whack in the last number of years so I know what to expect coming in at the start of the games.

"I love the environment up here the culture. Everyone can be themselves. I can be myself. It’s a honour to be here and to be with these world class players and coaches. It’s unbelievable."

Ireland's two wins and the nature of them, especially over last season's Grand Slam champions, means that hype is going to be a Motorhead-loud companion for the next four weeks.

Only two losses, to Italy next Saturday and to Scotland eight days later, would take the prospect of winning the Six Nations on home soil for the first time off the table.

Ireland four previous Six Nations clinchers came on the road, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Paris and London.

Bealham says it's important, after last year's Triple Crown success, to get the job done.

"Yeah, it’s massive," he says.

"There’s some really tough games coming up. Italy away is going to be extremely tough.

"Even playing the Italian sides at club level, you never have an easy game, the games over there are always fast, physical, and you know you’ve been in a proper brawl when you play those boys.

"It’s just one game at a time and trying to put our best foot forward for next week. We’ve plenty to do, sharpen the blade, so we’re only starting our process now of previewing and reviewing and I’m sure by next week we’ll be in a good spot."

Whatever happens now, Connacht boss and fellow Aussie Andy Friend says there's plenty of room for Bealham to improve.

"What you are seeing is the opening up of a flower," says Friend, whose charges are away to Zebre in the BTK URC this afternoon (3.05pm).

"He’s starting to show the world what he can do, not only that he just belongs there [Ireland], but can be very very good on that stage.

"He is a world-class tighthead prop and I thought it was unfair some of the criticism he has gotten [in the past].

"Finlay has grown from all the different experiences he’s had. He’s a man who has had a lot of challenges thrown at him, but he accepts them.

"I have been massively impressed with the bloke and there is still more to come from him."

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