'Winning Against The All-Blacks was a Dream Come True' Andrew Porter, in Best of Dublin 2019

In a wide-ranging interview, Andrew Porter talks to us about his favourite foodie haunts in Dublin.

Along with Urbun (where Best of Dublin meets him for the interview), who do a legendary Bacon Butty smothered in Ballymaloe relish, Andrew is often to be found with a napkin round his neck in F.X. Buckley in Monkstown, where there’s an 18oz Rib Eye on the menu.

“I don’t know how many of their amazing steaks I’ve demolished,” he laughs. “If I’m craving even more meat, I’d go to My Meat Wagon in Smithfield Market Square. They’ve good food too in my local, the Horse & Hound (Bray Road, Kilbogget, Cabinteely, D18).”

The international rugby star also shares memories of an incredible 12 months of rugby. Having started with Ireland’s 54-7 demolition of Italy in Chicago, Andrew’s amazing 2018/’19 season continued with the Aviva Park smitings of Argentina and New Zealand.

“Playing in a winning side against the All Blacks was a childhood dream come true,” he enthuses. “I got about twenty minutes. It was one of the fastest games I’ve ever played in. The ball was up one end of the pitch and then down the other because they can move it so fast. We treated it like a cup tie – ‘one-off game, eighty minutes, anything can happen’. The confidence that comes from beating the best team in the world – they’ve been No.1 for I don’t know how long – is massive. You never ever underestimate the All Blacks, but were we to come up against them in the World Cup we definitely wouldn’t be frightened going onto the pitch.”

Andrew also talks about everything from his beloved beagle to his tattoos in this unique interview with one of the finest players in Irish rugby.

You can read the full interview in the new issue of Best of Dublin, which is out now. You can also order it below here: