Dove brings together rugby rivals to talk about how they tackle life’s lows
Johnny Sexton, Ellis Genge, Greig Laidlaw and Sam Warburton talk through professional and personal setbacks as part of the beauty brand’s latest self-care spot.
All four rugby rivals weren’t aware who would be joining them for the filming, making for some uncomfortable early encounters. “I wouldn’t have come if I knew you were going to be here,” jokes Sexton, the all-time leading Irish scorer.
However, as the ice begins to melt in the room, each opens up about moments of struggle, both personally and professionally.
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Low moments discussed include Warburton’s red card in the opening minutes of the 2011 semi-final. He says in the ad: “This situation in 2011 when I got a red card, you think, ‘Am I just going to be known as the guy who lost Wales the Final?’ When people fire these shots in the press, they throw something out and leave it, but as players, you live it then all the way through to the next game.”
On the topic of scrutiny, Genge adds: “ I felt like it took away from my game as I couldn’t do anything without a headline saying ‘He’s a hothead!’ or ‘He’s a liability’ and my coaches would just tell me I wasn’t being myself.’
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Other subjects discussed by the group include how Laidlaw trained his mind to overcome his lack of natural height to reach the very top, a life lesson Sexton teaches his son but perhaps doesn’t take on board himself, plus a lengthy injury absence from the game for Genge.