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In pics: Ireland had A LOT of fun on their down-day today

The first documented photograph of Paul O’Connell looking scared.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 will forever be remembered as the first time Paul O’Connell was afraid of something.

Ireland were on a down-day this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s second World Cup game against Romania on Sunday, using their spare time to visit Alton Towers, and try out some clay-pigeon shooting.

Rugby players can often be intimidating to look at, but seeing the bulky internationals frightened for their lives is a fantastic leveller.

Even Paul O’Connell got a bit edgy…

Ireland players at Alton Towers today Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Fierce shook…

Sean Cronin, Peter O'Mahony, Paul O'Connell and Jonathan Sexton Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

As if roller coasters aren’t scary enough, this young lad had to sit beside Tadhg Furlong.

Tadgh Furlong, Conor Murray and Jamie Heaslip Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Devin Toner wasn’t too bothered by the whole thing. Also, look at how far his legs stick out the bottom.

Ireland players at Alton Towers Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Tadhg Furlong won the award for Facial Expression of the Day. And Mike Ross dropping his bind…

Conor Murray, Keith Earls, Tadgh Furlong, Mike Ross and Jamie Heaslip Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

They then moved on to clay-pigeon shooting, which Conor Murray just LOVED.

 

Conor Murray clay pigeon shooting Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Paulie looked like he’d done this before.

 

Paul O'Connell clay pigeon shooting

Tadhg Furlong has found his new Tinder photo.

Tadgh Furlong clay pigeon shooting

And Keith Earls even had the cloth cap and gilet to seriously look the part.

Keith Earls clay pigeon shooting

That pensive gaze out over the horizon…

Richardt Strauss clay pigeon shooting

It was all about the roller coasters though. Poor Conor Murray all on his own…

Jamie Heaslip, Tadgh Furlong, Mike Ross, Keith Earls and Conor Murray

Analysis: Romania can cause chaos at the scrum, but only if the referee lets them

This picture from after Wales v Uruguay shows just what the World Cup is all about

Author
Neil Treacy
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