Kent-born Ulster star reveals 'I've always been an Ireland fan' due to Belfast family connection
Sam Crean went from medical joker to a key component in the Ulster pack that is challenging for silverware on two fronts this season.
The loosehead prop left Saracens for Ravenhill at the back-end of last term to cover injuries in the Ulster front row – his impressive scrummaging earned him a two-year contract in Belfast.
This season he has made 17 appearances for the province, nine as a starter, and also fulfilled an ambition to play for Ireland after being selected in an ‘A’ team game.
Born in Kent, Crean played for England U20’s but always had strong family links to Ireland.
“My dad was born in Belfast, my nan and grandad were too,” he said. “A lot of my extended family still live in Belfast, they live on the Shankill Road.
“I've actually always been an Ireland fan growing up, I haven't got a single picture of me when I'm younger wearing an England top.
"I've been wearing Ireland tops probably from about the age of five...I remember when the World Cup was in England, I went to the Ireland games.
“I've always been an Ireland fan and then obviously being in an English academy, you sort of have to go through that sort of England system.
“That's what happened and then obviously the family ties with Ulster and the opportunity here...I never thought about playing for Ireland when I initially came over, and then when that opportunity came this year, I grabbed it with both hands.
“For the A game, my mum, dad and my girlfriend came over, a couple of friends as well, it was really cool, really special.
“I think dad has got the shirt up in a frame now – the England 20s shirt got ripped off the wall!”
Crean starts in Friday’s crucial URC clash against leaders Glasgow Warriors – Ulster must win to guarantee a top-eight finish and Champions Cup rugby next season.
“I feel like I've played a lot of games this year,” he added. “Hopefully that’s because the coaches have been confident in the performances that I've put out...some performances have been better than others.
“That's something that I'm working on, to try and make sure every single performance is as good as it can be, but that's what we're all trying to do, I'm just trying to get better every week.
“The coaches have been fantastic and helped me with that. Jimmy Duffy being the forwards coach, I know he's leaving at the end of the season, but he's been fantastic, I can't really praise him enough.”
Ulster’s destiny is still in their own hands despite last week’s draw with the Stormers.
Anything other than a win, Richie Murphy’s men will be dependant on the Connacht result to make the play-offs, while Glasgow will want a bonus point win to guarantee home advantage in the knockout stages.
“It’ll be a massive challenge,” said Crean. “We want them to bring a fully loaded team, we'll play as well as we can.
“We will do our best to get five points for everyone, we want five points because that'll put us in the top-eight.
“That's what we're going for. We're looking forward to them turning up.”