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Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Andrew Porter hails wife Elaine as a ‘champion' after long labour with newborn son
Dubliner Andrew and Elaine are now doting parents to a son, born two weeks ago — the first grandchild in both families. Going back to how he first contacted Elaine, who comes from Bray, Co Wicklow, Andrew says: 'It was over Instagram… a modern day romance. I remember shooting my shot… then we met up and went on a few dates. 'Elaine was someone I had an instant connection with. It's mad looking back how things have turned out. Back then, could you have said this is where we would be now? It's a mad thought, but I wouldn't change any of it.' Does she like rugby? 'Oh yeah, she's mad into it,' Andrew says. 'She was more of a GAA person before, and then she was forced into it when she met me, but she loves the rugby now. She goes to all the games when she can. She's the best fan I have and she's always there to patch me up when I need it after a tough game. 'I know the sacrifices she makes and now with the new arrival and what's on the horizon as well (the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia)…it's never an easy thing being a partner to a rugby player. 'It's tough to not feel guilty at times. It's nearly like everyone else's schedule revolves around mine.' Andrew was with Elaine when their son came into the world, describing the moment as a 'crazy' experience, adding that it was 'incredibly special getting to be there'. Elaine, who previously revealed that she suffered two miscarriages last year, was 13 hours in labour. 'It was a long old shift she put in, in fairness,' Andrew says. 'Rugby players put themselves through all sorts, but I don't think we put ourselves through anything close to that. Elaine's an absolute champion after what she went through. She's incredibly special. 'In the movies it looks so easy. They don't even come close to hitting the nail on the head.' Porter points out that his son was born 'on the day of the Champions Cup Final (which Leinster failed to reach), so it really puts things into perspective.' When we speak Baby Porter had yet to be given a first name. 'We're still trying to figure out his name,' Andrew reveals. 'We had a few, but after he was born we were like, 'I'm not sure if that suits.' It's Baby Porter at the moment.' An ambassador for high-protein performance brand Grenade, Porter is promoting their latest campaign Join the Revolution. As part of the campaign, Grenade will sponsor kits for 20 teams, offering them full branded kits, product hampers and team banners.


Sunday World
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Andrew Porter hails wife Elaine as a ‘champion' after long labour with newborn son
The Leinster and Ireland prop loved the 'crazy' experience of seeing his baby son born Dubliner Andrew and Elaine are now doting parents to a son, born two weeks ago — the first grandchild in both families. Going back to how he first contacted Elaine, who comes from Bray, Co Wicklow, Andrew says: 'It was over Instagram…a modern day romance. I remember shooting my shot… then we met up and went on a few dates. 'Elaine was someone I had an instant connection with. It's mad looking back how things have turned out. Back then, could you have said this is where we would be now? It's a mad thought, but I wouldn't change any of it.' Andrew with his wife Elaine Does she like rugby? 'Oh yeah, she's mad into it,' Andrew says. 'She was more of a GAA person before, and then she was forced into it when she met me, but she loves the rugby now. She goes to all the games when she can. She's the best fan I have and she's always there to patch me up when I need it after a tough game. 'I know the sacrifices she makes and now with the new arrival and what's on the horizon as well (the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia)…it's never an easy thing being a partner to a rugby player.' 'It's tough to not feel guilty at times. It's nearly like everyone else's schedule revolves around mine.' Proud dad Andrew Porter with his new baby son News in 90 Seconds - June 11th Andrew was with Elaine when their son came into the world, describing the moment as a 'crazy' experience, adding that it was 'incredibly special getting to be there.' Elaine, who previously revealed that she suffered two miscarriages last year, was 13 hours in labour. 'It was a long old shift she put in, in fairness,' Andrew says. Andrew as an ambassador for performance brand Grenade 'Rugby players put themselves through all sorts, but I don't think we put ourselves through anything close to that. Elaine's an absolute champion after what she went through. She's incredibly special.' A woman has a tougher job bringing a child into the world? 'Oh, 100 per cent,' he says. 'In the movies it looks so easy. They don't even come close to hitting the nail on the head.' Porter points out that his son was born 'on the day of the Champions Cup Final (which Leinster failed to reach), so it really puts things into perspective.' Read more When we speak Baby Porter had yet to be given a first name. 'We're still trying to figure out his name,' Andrew reveals. 'We had a few, but after he was born we were like, 'I'm not sure if that suits.' It's Baby Porter at the moment.' An ambassador for high-protein performance brand Grenade, Porter is promoting their latest campaign Join the Revolution. As part of the campaign, Grenade will sponsor kits for 20 teams, offering them full branded kits, product hampers and team banners. Teams can submit their application by scanning the QR code in-store, or visiting their website.


Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
New Ulster signing receives first Springboks call-up ahead of summer Test series
The rampaging number eight, who will move to Ravenhill over the summer from Northampton Saints, is one of nine uncapped players called up to Rassie Erasmus' 54-man extended panel. South Africa begin their summer schedule with a game against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28, followed by Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12 respectively and finishing off against Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19. It seems unlikely that 27-year-old Augustus will see any game time as six of the eight back rowers from the Springboks' last squad have been retained, including reigning and two-time World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi. However, it says much about the Alexander Bay native that he has been included in the squad after being part of last month's national alignment camp, with Erasmus clearly a fan of the Ulster-bound back row. Augustus has been in red-hot form for Northampton this season and only missed out on their Champions Cup Final against Bordeaux due to injury, helping them reach their first decider since 2011 with a bulldozing performance against Leinster in the Semi-Finals. His call-up, however, could prove to be an issue for Ulster, who were anticipating the former Stormers man being available for the start of the United Rugby Championship campaign on September 26 but may now be without him should he see any action for his country. Even more concerning would be if he impresses sufficiently to be called up to the Springboks squad for firstly the Rugby Championship, which extends into the first weekend of October, and then the Autumn Internationals, when Erasmus' men face France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in November. While Ulster would never prevent a player from representing their country, the intention was for Augustus to be a fulcrum at the centre of their forward pack in their bid to return to the URC Play-Offs next season, and being without one of their marquee players for a significant period – Ulster have six League games before the end of November – would be less than ideal for head coach Richie Murphy. The province are well-stocked in the back row, with James McNabney emerging last season alongside Ireland flanker Nick Timoney and David McCann, and Ireland lock Cormac Izuchukwu also able to step in at blindside flanker, but Augustus was set to provide a new dimension to the loose forward trio.


Vancouver Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Whitecaps Live: Follow the Champions Cup Final updates from Mexico City
The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to take on Cruz Azul tonight at Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City for the Champions Cup Final. (Pre-game story or preview goes here, keep it short.) If you aren't able to watch the game in person, scroll down for the play-by-play updates from tonight's game. Hit the refresh button for the latest update. 5:30 p.m. Alright here we go. Half an hour to kickof. There's something like 800 Whitecaps fans in the stands at Estadio Olimpico Univerisitario. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Here's your team news: it's 4-3-3 for the Caps. Ocampo and Adekugbe as wing-backs, Veselinovic the captain partnered by Blackmon in the middle as ever. Cubas the search-and-destroy DM, with Vite and Ngando looked to play as box to box work horses. Brian Whitem of course, is the point of the spear, with two speedsters in Nelson and Ahmed on the wings. 'Two a little more offensive 8s,' Jesper Sorensen says about his lineup. Notes how strong a season J.C. Ngando has been having and why he's favoured over Emmanuel Sabbi, whose pace is rivalled only by Jayden Nelson's, Ralph Priso. Here's the bench too Safe bet we'll see Johnson, Rios and Sabbi at some point. • Who are Cruz Azul? Whitecaps react to their CONCACAF Champions Cup opponents • Five moments that mark the Whitecaps' path to the Champions Cup Final in Mexico City • Whitecaps 3, Miami 1: The respect has to come for Vancouver now pjohnston@


The Province
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Vancouver Whitecaps Live: Follow the Champions Cup Final updates from Mexico City
The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to take on Cruz Azul tonight at Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City for the Champions Cup Final. Read More