While the performances from Ireland have been absolutely incredible on the pitch during the Rugby World Cup, it could be argued that the showings from the Ireland rugby fans in the stands have been equally as impressive.
The noise they have made in each of the four pool games was remarkable, especially in the wins over South Africa and Scotland.
New anthems have been embraced along the way, with the Ireland players certainly feeding off the atmosphere that has been created by the fans.
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Seems as though Ireland fans have found their anthem for #RWC2023 😍#IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/ZuNfUCOyzH
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 9, 2023
The incredible support they have been receiving is something they will look to feed off as we enter the knockout stages of the tournament, starting with Saturday's quarter-final against New Zealand.
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Former Scotland star astounded by change in Ireland Rugby fans
Irish fans are known for being some of the most passionate in the world, but that has not necessarily always translated to our rugby team.
The Aviva Stadium has been criticised for lacking atmosphere at times in the past, most notably during Six Nations and autumn international games. Issues such as punters continually getting in and out of their seats and a general lack of noise in certain fixtures were widely discussed in the media as recently as the end of 2022.
Now, something has changed among the fan base.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, former Scotland star Jim Hamilton admitted he has been shocked to see the atmosphere created by Ireland rugby fans in France, especially when he compares it to his own playing days.
I didn't realise how good their fans were. I said this at pitch-side, me and Bernard Jackman were talking about it.
I've played at the Aviva, played at Lansdowne Road, played at Croke Park, it's a place I've always been.
I've never come away and went 'the noise and the fans were unbelievable'. That would be if you went to Wales or if you play in Paris. Never in Ireland have I thought that. You know they're passionate.
I have never in my life heard anything like it. 60,000 were there at the weekend, they're on the streets, on top of busses, doing conversions in the streets. It's madness, it's absolute carnage...
The All Blacks have been so good, you've got the Haka, but is the emotional driver the same as it is for Ireland, with the fans and what they bring to that stadium? I don't think it is. Is that a thing? Can the All Blacks overcome that.
Having been in the stadium for the South Africa and Scotland games, I have never in rugby felt or seen that kind of energy or influence on a team.
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Jim Hamilton would have played in Dublin a number of times over the course of his career before retiring from international rugby in 2015.
This is certainly an interesting observation, with a number of potential reasons for this change. The team's ever-improving fortunes on the pitch have certainly played a part, as has the increased effort the players have put into connecting with the supporters.
Perhaps the most impactful change has been the demographic of Ireland rugby fans travelling to France.
Remarkably, it was probably easier to get tickets to the Rugby World Cup games than it has been for Six Nations games at the Aviva, meaning more everyday sports fans were given the chance to attend these fixtures.
The crowd at Lansdowne Road is often overly corporate, with a large portion of supporters also coming from more traditional rugby areas.
By widening the net of fans that get the opportunity to go to Ireland games, it clearly has a telling positive effect on the atmosphere they create.
That is something the IRFU should consider moving forward.
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