‘It’s not taught in English schools, which I find extraordinary’ – Northampton players given Croke Park history lesson ahead of Champions Cup semi-final

Ahead of the sold-out showdown, the Saints’ Irish strength and conditioning coach Eamonn Hyland delivered a brief lecture about Croke Park’s “cultural and historic” importance to Ireland.

The players were given the lowdown on how the stadium serves as the headquarters of the GAA, and was the site of the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1920, including how the Hogan Stand was named in honour of the 13 spectators and Tipperary player Michael Hogan, who were fatally shot by the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) on November 21, 1920.

Croke Park is preparing to host its first rugby match since Scotland’s victory over Ireland in the 2010 Six Nations.

Saturday’s semi-final will be the first domestic match since Leinster’s 2009 European semi-final victory over Munster, while Northampton will become the first English club side to play there.

“It’s absolutely fundamental that we have an appreciation of the history and significance of Croke Park, both culturally and historically, in the Irish battle for independence, in their psyche, and with the whole GAA,” said director of rugby Phil Dowson. “Regardless of whether we are playing rugby there, we should understand that.

“It’s not taught in English schools, which I find extraordinary. Appreciating and understanding that from the Irish point of view as a venue is important for young English people, not just rugby players.

“But we should also understand the influence it will have on the playing group and the crowd and the implications for that around the atmosphere.

“At the same time we are not playing against ghosts. We need appreciation and respect for the history, but then we have to get our game on the field.”

Dowson added that he was already aware of the venue’s history after a visit to Kilmainham Gaol − “there’s a museum there and that’s where I realised why Ireland hate England” − while Northampton’s 21-year-old fly-half Fin Smith said the presentation left him with goosebumps.

“I was pretty moved by it, sitting there with goosebumps,” he said. “It was a great tone-setter for the week coming up. Eamonn’s a proud Irishman and he did a really good job. He’s not the type of guy who usually talks in meetings but he’s earned himself another slot if he wants it. It was very impressive. It was a real eye-opener to all of the [history] and to how hostile it’s going to be. But it was good to find that out.”