Getting To Know James Downey

With the players on a break we’re using this time to feature some of the player profiles we have used to date in the match programmes, and first up is James Downey.

Dublin born, James Downey, played one season with Leinster and two with Connacht before a brief three game period with Munster in early 2006.

He then went on to Italian side Calvisano for a season before moving to Northampton Saints where he enjoyed five highly successful seasons. He returned to Munster at the start of the 2012/13 season.

DOB: 23rd Mar 1981
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Height: 1.93 m (6' 4")
Weight: 104 kg (16 st 5 lb)
Position: Centre
Munster Caps: 11

Currently residing: Cork

Educated where: Belvedere College, UCD

How old were you when you first started playing rugby and what club? 10, Clontarf RFC

First position you ever played? Wing

Most memorable try in career? Not so much scored was over the line and passed to Chris Ashton to get the div 1 try scoring record

Sportsperson admire most: Mohammad Ali

Career highlight to date: Playing for Ireland A and Heineken Cup Final

Favourite other sport: Gaelic/Hurling

Favourite team outside rugby: Super Dubs

Most difficult opponent: Alessana Tuilagi

Most embarrassing moment on a rugby pitch: Dropping ball over the line!

Player you would most like to play alongside: Jonah lomu

Best thing about playing for Munster: Playing for a team with such history and traditions, amazing to be a part of it

Best moment at Munster: Pulling on jersey for first time…so far

Best part of being a pro rugby player: Paid to do what you love

Worst part of being pro rugby player: Pre season, injuries

Hobbies outside rugby: Golf, Gaelic, Hurling

Person you would avoid at all costs: Johne Murphy

Sporting Event you'd most like to attend: Super Bowl

Best place you have visited: NYC

Where you haven’t been and would love to go to: Austrailia

Three things you can’t live without: Meat, phone, holidays

Who would play you in a movie: Kenny Egan

Most famous person you’ve met: Hector O'Heochagain

Person you would most like to meet: Al Pacino

Favourite Food: Steak

Favourite subject at school: Classical Studies

Subject you were worst at: Irish

Favourite Film: Platoon

Favourite TV programme: Dexter

Favourite Actor: Colin Farrell

Favourite Singer/Band: U2

Favourite Stadium to play in: Ireland-Thomond Park, England-Franklins Gardens

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Billy Connolly for humour, Frank Sinatra for stories and music, Al Pacino for stories as well.