Ireland and England go head-to-head in their opening match of this year’s Six Nations (Image: Getty)
will become the first-ever side to win three titles in a row if they retain their Championship this spring.
Andy Farrell’s side are pre-tournament favourites, with only France being given a fighting chance against the reigning Six Nations champions.
History would be made if they end up completing the three-peat, with one iconic Irish tune likely to follow them throughout the Championship.
The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’ has been a favourite of music lovers and karaoke goers ever since it was released 30 years ago, with Irish rugby fans having adopted the song at the 2023 World Cup.
It became the unofficial anthem of Team Ireland as they reached the quarter-final stage in France before being knocked out by eventual runners-up New Zealand.
The song followed Ireland back home to Dublin and was played after every try scored by Farrell’s side during last year’s 36-0 win over Italy.
But not everyone is a fan of the 1994 hit…
It was written by Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan in response to the 1993 Warrington bombings carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army, in which two children lost their lives.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The song became synonymous with Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign (Image: Getty)
Johnathan Ball, aged three, and Tim Parry, aged 12, had been out shopping for Mother’s Day cards when they were caught up in the tragedy, with O’Riordan hit hard by their deaths.
Speaking at the time, she said: “We were on a tour bus and I was near the location where it happened, so it really struck me hard. I was quite young, but I remember being devastated about the innocent children being pulled into that kind of thing.”
In a separate interview, she added: “I remember seeing one of the mothers on television, just devastated. I felt so sad for her, that she’d carried him for nine months, been through all the morning sickness, the whole thing and some… p****, some airhead who thought he was making a point, did that.”
The song topped the charts across the world and won the Best Song Award at the 1995 MTV Europe Music Awards. But it has been criticised for its ‘anti-republican’ nature.
Ireland’s rugby team are one of the few that represent both the Republic and North of Ireland and given the tune’s stance as a protest song, it’s been dubbed an “insult to republicans across Ireland and nationalists in the North,” according to one social media user.
Alas, it will almost certainly be belted out by the Irish contingents throughout this year’s Six Nations as they go in search of a record-breaking third title in a row.