In Focus: John Hayes’ RBS 6 Nations Caps Record
Ireland prop John Hayes became the most-capped player in RBS 6 Nations history on Saturday, eclipsing the record of former France captain Fabien Pelous (46 matches). The game against England marked Hayes’ 47th appearance in the tournament.
John Hayes has taken the phrase ‘durable prop’ to another level. Not only was Saturday’s clash with England his record-breaking 47th successive appearance in the RBS 6 Nations but the cap also brought him level again with Irish caps record holder Malcolm O’Kelly (92 caps).
Hayes, the Cappamore farmer and Bruff clubman, of course took it all in his stride just as he has done ever since he and four other team-mates made their Test debuts for Ireland against Scotland back in February 2000.
His record of 47 successive Six Nations caps is testament to his ability to maintain high levels of fitness and shows how vital the much-loved tighthead is to the Irish cause.
Speaking about Hayes prior to the game, Ireland coach Declan Kidney said: “He’s just living it, really, rather than working at it.
“I think professionalism in the best sense of the word. I’ve seen people who get paid who aren’t overly professional, and I’ve seen people who don’t get any money for doing something and they’re very professional.
“And I think in the best sense of the word that’s what John is, in the way that he has managed to look after himself and keep himself as fit as he is.
“And to play in probably the toughest position on the rugby pitch, at tighthead prop, which is the cornerstone of everything you do, certainly in scrummaging.
“His prowess in the lineout is also well seen but to keep the mobility that is needed to go beyond the set pieces, that takes a lot of personal care and professionalism, right down to everything you eat.
“He’s not the greatest man for talking about himself but it is his total professionalism really, I don’t think that can be over-stated.
“How he goes about it, I don’t know. He’s quite a private man, and he enjoys that side of it.
“And yet he loves the camaraderie of the team room. I think he would be well noted for the way he looks after himself.”
JOHN HAYES – 47-MATCH RECORD IN THE RBS 6 NATIONS:
February 19, 2000 – Ireland 44 Scotland 22, Lansdowne Road
March 4, 2000 – Ireland 60 Italy 13, Lansdowne Road
March 19, 2000 – France 25 Ireland 27, Stade de France
April 1, 2000 – Ireland 19 Wales 23, Lansdowne Road
February 3, 2001 – Italy 22 Ireland 41, Stadio Flaminio
February 17, 2001 – Ireland 22 France 15, Lansdowne Road
September 22, 2001 – Scotland 32 Ireland 10, Murrayfield
October 13, 2001 – Wales 6 Ireland 36, Millennium Stadium
October 20, 2001 – Ireland 20 England 14, Lansdowne Road
February 3, 2002 – Ireland 54 Wales 10, Lansdowne Road
February 16, 2002 – England 45 Ireland 11, Twickenham
March 2, 2002 – Ireland 43 Scotland 22, Lansdowne Road
March 23, 2002 – Ireland 32 Italy 17, Lansdowne Road
April 6, 2002 – France 44 Ireland 5, Stade de France
February 16, 2003 – Scotland 6 Ireland 36, Murrayfield
February 22, 2003 – Italy 13 Ireland 37, Stadio Flaminio
March 8, 2003 – Ireland 15 France 12, Lansdowne Road
March 22, 2003 – Wales 24 Ireland 25, Millennium Stadium
March 30, 2003 – Ireland 6 England 42, Lansdowne Road
February 14, 2004 – France 35 Ireland 17, Stade de France
February 22, 2004 – Ireland 36 Wales 15, Lansdowne Road
March 6, 2004 – England 13 Ireland 19, Twickenham
March 20, 2004 – Ireland 19 Italy 3, Lansdowne Road
March 27, 2004 – Ireland 37 Scotland 16, Lansdowne Road
February 6, 2005 – Italy 17 Ireland 28, Stadio Flaminio
February 12, 2005 – Scotland 13 Ireland 40, Murrayfield (1 try)
February 27, 2005 – Ireland 19 England 13, Lansdowne Road
March 12, 2005 – Ireland 19 France 26, Lansdowne Road
March 19, 2005 – Wales 32 Ireland 20, Millennium Stadium
February 4, 2006 – Ireland 26 Italy 16, Lansdowne Road
February 11, 2006 – France 43 Ireland 31, Stade de France
February 26, 2006 – Ireland 31 Wales 5, Lansdowne Road
March 11, 2006 – Ireland 15 Scotland 9, Lansdowne Road
March 18, 2006 – England 24 Ireland 28, Twickenham
February 4, 2007 – Wales 9 Ireland 19, Millennium Stadium
February 11, 2007 – Ireland 17 France 20, Croke Park
February 24, 2007 – Ireland 43 England 13, Croke Park
March 10, 2007 – Scotland 18 Ireland 19, Murrayfield
March 17, 2007 – Italy 24 Ireland 51, Stadio Flaminio
February 2, 2008 – Ireland 16 Italy 11, Croke Park
February 9, 2008 – France 26 Ireland 21, Stade de France
February 23, 2008 – Ireland 34 Scotland 13, Croke Park
March 8, 2008 – Ireland 12 Wales 16, Croke Park
March 15, 2008 – England 33 Ireland 10, Twickenham
February 7, 2009 – Ireland 30 France 21, Croke Park
February 15, 2009 – Italy 9 Ireland 38, Stadio Flaminio
February 28, 2009 – Ireland 14 England 13, Croke Park