RUCK 'N' ROLL

Before The Blizzards, Niall "Bressie" Breslin was a professional rugby player of some renown.

"I was part of the Leinster backrow for three years, which was a great experience, and I've got loads of caps. It's something I loved, but I also love music. I don't know what people think about rugby players in general, but I can assure you that music plays a big part in their lives. I learnt a lot about music from rugby - what people were listening to and all of that.

"Some people make a big deal of a professional rugby player giving it up to join a rock band, but I don't find it odd in the slightest. When I told my rugby agent I was quitting he was really cool about it. I suppose it depends on what your perception of rugby player is.

"One of my best friends in rugby is now studying Fine Art in Florence. We're not all stereotypes."