Ireland and Leinster prop Andrew Porter has opened up about his struggles with mental health as a rugby player.
On February 2, the Ireland squad will look to defend their Six Nations crown when they take on France in Marseille, and just like last year, Porter is expected to be one of the first names on the teamsheet and front row. However, before that, fans of the Irish rugby team have been treated to a new series called "Full Contact" on Netflix.
From the producers of the hugely successful "Drive to Survive," "Full Contact" tells the stories of players and coaches from each team, with a key focus on big names including Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit, England's Owen Farrell and Ellis Genge, Scot Finn Russell, and Ireland's Johnny Sexton and Porter.
The documentary series also dives into issues that include mental health struggles, imposter syndrome, and sacrificing their personal lives as well as their bodies.
Porter, who has opened up about his struggles with mental health in the past, reveals in the documentary how he has tried to overcome his mental health conundrum as a professional rugby player.
The Irish star lost his mother to cancer at a young age and opens up about how he managed to come to terms with the outcome.
“This is my good ear!” 👂
Check out Andrew Porter and more #URC stars in the new Six Nations: Full Contact series which is now LIVE on Netflix 🏉📺#SixNationsFullContact 🍿@SixNationsRugby | @NetflixUK
pic.twitter.com/YBFsatIPW7— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 24, 2024
"I've struggled with mental health for years. I'm not afraid to say it," he said in the new Netflix series.
"The day after my mom's funeral, I went straight into secondary school. The timing was incredibly bad. You're starting off in a completely new environment; you don't know anyone; you feel completely on your own; and then...you completely isolate yourself. There were a few incredibly tough years.
"I went through eating disorders and stuff. There were some days where...I might not be here today."
Porter, who was one of Ireland's key players in what was described as one of the "best rugby games ever" in 2023, could be seen visibly upset as Ireland beat the French in Dublin 32-19 in 2023
Both former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and Porter could be seen with tears in their eyes as "Amhran Na Bhfiann" was blasted out prior to kick-off.
Porter revealed further details about those moments and claimed that he wished he could hear his mom's voice in the crowd last spring.
"You know when you can hear that one person's voice in the crowd? It was always my mom's voice in the crowd,"he added.
"I'm obviously thinking of my mom and wishing she was there on big days like that. It's hugely emotional."
Ireland will then play consecutive home matches at Aviva Stadium in Rounds 2 and 3. Italy will visit Dublin on Sunday, February 11, which kicks off at 3 p.m., followed by a Wales clash on Saturday, February 24, which kicks off at 2.15 p.m.
In Round 4, Ireland will head to Twickenham to take on England on Saturday, March 9 (this kicks off at 4.45 p.m.). The Championship finale will see Ireland host Scotland at Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday, March 16 (this kicks off at 4.45 p.m.).
All three of Ireland’s home matches at Aviva Stadium are sold out, with RTÉ and Virgin Media providing free-to-air coverage of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations in the Republic of Ireland and BBC and ITV broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
