Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Andrew Porter at Xavier College in Melbourne.Dan Sheridan/INPHO Porter's pride, family in Oz, prop friend, and cut ears The Ireland international comes into the Lions’ starting XV. 10.00pm, 24 Jul 2025 Share options Murray Kinsella Reports from Melbourne ANDREW PORTER HAS just come from training and there are cuts on his ears gently weeping as he sits down for an interview. His ears are cut all year round now. This is the life of an international prop. In fact, he and his wife, Elaine, had to buy black bed linen. “I can’t have white pillowcases at home anymore because it looks like Texas Chainsaw Massacre after I wake up in the morning,” says Porter with a smile. “I’ve been banned from the white linens anyway at home.” A massive part of Porter would love to be at home in Ireland right now. Elaine gave birth to their son in May and it’s tough being away at this stage. “I’ve learned that babies get very big when you’re away from home,” says Porter when he’s asked what this Lions tour has taught him. “My wife is at home looking after the baby. He’s nine weeks now. “I could say it’s not easy for me but I don’t think my wife would like that too much. I wouldn’t get much sympathy! Advertisement “My wife is at home looking after our baby at the moment. She’s the one in the trenches at home at the moment. I’m in the trenches over here. Well, I can’t really say that. We’re looked after here quite well. “But it’s a sacrifice on both ends. She’s there with sleepless nights at home looking after him and I’m here representing my family, my country, and representing the Lions. It’s two different kinds of sacrifices. But I’ll definitely owe her for this for a long time anyway.” Ellis Genge with Andrew Porter.Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Porter is doing them proud in Australia. He came off the bench for his Lions Test debut last weekend in Brisbane, a brilliant moment for him given that he was ruled out of the 2021 Lions tour due to injury. And on Saturday, Porter will make his first Lions Test start after head coach Andy Farrell named him in the number one shirt for the second Wallabies clash. He will have family watching in person in Melbourne. His father, Ernie, arrived for the first Test in Brisbane and will be there on Saturday too, enjoying a “a nice old holiday,” according to his son. Ernie’s two sisters, Becky and Vera, live in Australia, so Porter has had his aunties and cousins supporting him too. “They’re all around the place - Perth, Brisbane, most of them in Sydney. “It’s a good opportunity for him to go and meet up with all the family and everything. I mean, it’s great for me as well. There’s a lot of them I wouldn’t have even met before. A few cousins and stuff, a lot of them I haven’t seen in years and years. “So, it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with family as well as being down here.” Porter packs down with two familiar faces in the Lions’ front row on Saturday. He’s part of an all-Leinster, all-Irish front row along with Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. Porter with a Lions fan.Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO “It’s incredible being in the squad with them and being able to pack down with them in a Lions Test is another step up again,” says Porter. “I’m delighted to be able to do it alongside them. I just need to be on top of my game because they’ve had great tours so far, so I just need to be able to make them look good.” Porter takes over from Ellis Genge as the Lions’ starting loosehead but they know they’re a combination. When Genge was picked to start the first Test, Porter was the first man to congratulate him and that was reciprocated when Porter was named. “He’s an incredible guy, an incredible player, and it’s been great to build a friendship as well as learn from him,” says Porter. “He’s one of the best in the business so it’s great being able to become closer as mates and learn from each other along the way. “But yeah, he was the first one to congratulate me yesterday and sure he handed out my cap to me last week instead of my dad. So he’s the dad of the squad. He’s a great fella and a great player.” Murray Kinsella Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Porter's pride, family in Oz, prop friend, and cut ears”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Porter's pride, family in Oz, prop friend, and cut ears”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... Andrew Porter Freefuture plans Usyk ordered to face Parker in heavyweight defence FreeUefa conference league Chris Forrester provides dramatic inspiration to give St Pat's slender lead over nine-man Kalju David Sneyd reports from Richmond Park 15 mins ago FreeReady to go Ciaran Meenagh confirmed as new Derry football manager 23 mins ago Ireland international Jamie McGrath scores on Hibernian debut 41 mins ago FreeTeamsheet Kerry name unchanged side for All-Ireland final as Diarmuid O'Connor makes squad 48 mins ago FreeBig Money Arsenal take spending to €161 million after signing Valencia youngster FreeTake a Bow Ireland's Kate O'Connor wins gold at World University Games 'A measure of the man' - Ringrose ruled himself out of Lions Test start Aki, Porter, and Chessum start for the Lions in second Test Alexander Isak tells Newcastle he wants to explore move away from club - reports Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71 more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account