Triumph in the face of powerful adversity.
Brian O’Driscoll will take viewers on a personal journey across Irish sporting and political history in a new documentary from BT Sport.
The latest in the award-winning and acclaimed Shoulder to Shoulder series explores the history of the Irish national rugby team some 50 years on from The Troubles.
The documentary makes the case that the team has served as a significant example of unity in the face of violence, opposition and partition present in the country, with players from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland lining out together and establishing a deep bond.
In the role of host, O’Driscoll looks at how Irish rugby has managed to navigate and nurture a successful unit throughout tumultuous years that have claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people and divided communities.
The former Ireland star came under fire during the summer when he took part in an Orange Day parade in Armagh for the purposes of filming the documentary.
He took to Twitter on the day to explain the circumstances:
Currently in Northern Ireland filming a documentary outlining how Rugby as a sport unifies the country. Meeting some great people and look forward to the finished product- airs late autumn on @btsport
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 12, 2018
Among the subjects that O’Driscoll and the film will focus on include how The Troubles threatened to derail the Five Nations championship, how three stars of Irish rugby came within inches of death in 1987 and an historic, emotional showdown between Ireland and England at Croke Park in 2007.
Shoulder to Shoulder will feature interviews from former Ireland and Lions captain Willie John McBride, current Ireland captain Rory Best and host of pivotal figures throughout the game’s domestic history.
“With its crossover between sport, politics, religion and society at large, this is the kind of film which does not come around very often,” says Simon Green, Head of BT Sport.
“It manages to shed new light on an instantly recognisable sporting institution known the world over, while placing the unique concept that is the Irish rugby union national team into a fresh perspective.”
Shoulder to Shoulder premieres on BT Sport on Friday 12 October at 10pm.
You can watch the trailer below.
Clip via BT Sport
