All Blacks star Barrett once lined out on a Mullingar RFC team

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett – a key player in today’s revenge victory over Ireland – actually lined out for Mullingar RFC once.

Barrett’s parents, Kevin and Robyn, moved to Ireland with their family in 1999, and settled in Ballinacree in County Meath.

The children went to school at St Fiach’s NS in Ballinacree – and Beauden and his brothers  Kane and Scott played GAA with the local St Brigid’s club.

However, a Westmeath Examiner report dated October 14 2000 reveals that Beauden was on a Mullingar RFC U10 team which emerged unbeaten in a qualifying blitz in Athlone the previous weekend.

Already the youngster was showing the sort of form that has made him one of world rugby’s most formidable players: “Beauden Barrett with 8 tries led the way,” said the report of the side’s clash with  Longford.

Other names from that team included Austin Raleigh, Adam Corroon, Mark Shields, Stewart Flynn, Patrick Simpkin, Kevin Pyke, Ryan O’Hanlon and Aaron Connolly.