Conor O’Brien travelled West last September after he was selected for the first annual Rugby Rent Scholarships. Born and bred in The Bronx NY, the last 12 months this city slicker has enjoyed the slower pace of the Rocky Mountain highlife. He can be found at the rugby pitch, walking through the park thinking about rugby, in his bedroom writing poetry about rugby, or eating A to Z Spaghettios spelling out the word ‘rugby’.

Speaking of poetry, we asked one of Conor’s opponents to give us a few words about what he thought about facing Conor on the pitch a few weeks ago. We were able to take that interview, and piece it into this poem below:

C - “Can you believe how much intense energy is is bound up in that tiny little man’s body?!”

O - “Oh hellllll no, he did not just run past me while taunting me along the way!?!”

N - “Now I know their secret weapon… Send in the little slugger from New York to break them down mentally! He even misses the conversion RIGHT in front of the posts, almost as a way of saying “I could beat you with this kick, but instead I’m going to keep messing with your mentals a little while longer”.”

O - “On my way home, I’m headed past the hairdresser so I too can get a mullet. Maybe it’ll make me play like him?”

R - “Really debating my wardrobe too. Have you ever seen maroon corduroy rugby jorts like that?!!”

O’ - “On second thoughts, maybe I should retire from rugby after being embarrassed by Conor so badly today…”

B - “But why was he so nice to me off the pitch?! Does he REALLY want to play chess with me or is this a trap too?”

R - “Right on… He just kicked my a** at chess as well… 3 move checkmate… Awesome…”

I - “I just drank a beer with Conor, and got an invite to read 18th century literature with him at the libary... Huh????!?”

E - “Every team needs a guy like Conor, I just wish he was on my team. A real modern day renaissance mullet man”

N - “Now do you have what you need, can I leave this interview already? Why is B. Shea so smiley and googly-eyed!?”

Catch Conor run, kick, step, taunt, and checkmate his opponents on the rugby pitch this weekend LIVE, on The Rugby Network! You can also read some of his own blogging HERE on the Rugby Rent Scholarship website— a great piece about ‘Why Rugby?’