England wary of Ireland’s desire to give CJ Stander a good Six Nations send-off ahead of retirement

Shock retirement: Ireland’s CJ Stander will quit rugby this summer
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images

Jonny Hill says England are braced for an emotionally-charged Ireland side in the Six Nations on Saturday as the hosts bid to give CJ Stander a fond farewell.

The 31-year-old has played 50 times for Ireland and will pull on the green jersey one last time on Saturday when Andy Farrell’s side host England in Dublin.

“It’s going to be a huge game for them and CJ Stander’s potential last-ever international game,” said England lock Hill.

“So they’re going to be wanting to send him off in a big hurrah, so it’s something we’ve got to rise to.

“He’s had to commit so much to the game, he’s moved his life from South Africa over to Ireland and he’s chucked everything into it. 

“You look at everything he’s achieved, so for him to go out it will be an emotional game for him because it’s the end of an era for him.

“It’s about him going out with a bang. When it does finish, it’s a shame we can’t have crowds there to see him off.

“It’s a tough sport and fair play to him, he’s moved his whole family and everything over from South Africa and bought right into the Irish culture.”

Hill is able to draw upon his own experience of wanting to give players a good send-off from their playing days.

Stander has earned 50 caps for Ireland and played on the 2017 Lions tour
Getty Images

The second row was in a similar situation with Exeter last season and admitted it is something that spurs you on.

He added: “At club level last year when we won a couple of trophies we spoke about seeing off a lot of our lads like Phil Dollman, Gareth Steenson, Dave Dennis; some guys that had contributed a lot to the team, the club and it was about us giving them the send-off they deserve and it does have an impact on you.

“It’s something you build up in the week, definitely. Those guys, we spoke about them during the week and how much it meant to them and things like that.

“Whether CJ is doing that this week, I don’t know, but they’ll want to send him off.”

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