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6'5 ex-rugby prospect set for leading role in new Game of Thrones spin-off
By Ian Cameron
A former Irish rugby player is set to take the leading role in a new Game of Thrones spin-off. Ex-Connacht rugby player Peter Claffey is set to star in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,' an upcoming prequel series to "Game of Thrones" by HBO.
The series will adapt George R.R. Martin's 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' novellas, set in the same universe as his renowned "Game of Thrones" books.
This role in a series marks a significant step in Claffey's acting journey.
Claffey had a promising rugby career before turning to acting. A product of Galwegians RFC and a former student of Garbally College, Claffey distinguished himself as an amateur before breaking into the Connacht Academy.
The then 6'5, 119kg forward represented Connacht at various age-grade levels, where he played primarily as a lock, but fell short of winning a cap for Connacht before leaving the sport.
"I worked my ass off and tried to prove myself every single day especially when it became clear that I was never going to be on the teamsheet for the weekend. That was tough," said Claffey in an interview with Rugby Players Ireland back in 2020. "I definitely thought there was a cap in me. The fact I didn’t get it was the hardest part of being let go last year but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles…”
Having shed several kilos of muscle mass, Claffey transitioned into acting, leaving behind the rugby field for the stage and screen. It's been an inspired career choice.
He made his professional stage debut at the renowned Abbey Theatre in 2022. His burgeoning career quickly gathered momentum, securing roles in the television shows Bad Sisters and Harry Wild. The Irish actor's trajectory continues upward with notable upcoming projects including the drama movie Small Things Like These featuring Cillian Murphy, and a role in season three of the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla.
Connacht tweeted yesterday: "Incredible news for our former player Peter Claffey, who’s been cast in a leading role in the Game of Thrones prequel! Congrats Peter from all of us in the club. Don’t forget your rugby roots when you’re famous."
There's no doubting the success of the franchise he's entering. Game of Thrones has amassed significant revenue over its original eight-season run, reportedly generating billions of dollars in revenue.
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Before Schmidt came along I think its fair to say that nobody and I mean nobody had faith in the Australian domestic system and its ability to churn out players of test quality. Faced with Zero player depth, no distinct style of play, very few working combinations, an inexperienced team and a player and brain drain from Aussie rugby I think everyone believed Joe Schmidt was on a hiding to nothing. 12 tests later the Wallabies have a distinct style of play, working combinations across the park, are slowly building that player depth and have significantly enhanced their stock of good test quality players. Its taken alot of learnings but the project has rapidly surged forward in the last 2 months. What an upward trajectory its been. Before the Northern tour began many said 1 win would be enough to consider it a success. Well they have 2 and were in the contest against a determined Scottish team away from home. They never once shrunk and fought till the end. I also think about those 18 debutants you have mentioned. Imagine the benefit for them and for their Super Rugby franchises with them having now been exposed to a strong systems, with them having now been exposed to the learnings that only international rugby can bring. Imagine the confidence they can take back now into Super Rugby and also the knowledge now of what they have to do to reach that next level knowing its not beyond them. For too long during the Jones Era a sense of hopelessness pervaded the entire Australian set up both domestic and International. So many players saw their dreams fade into dust and others saw their futures evaporate while some became so disillusioned they turned to League. Now Schmidt has brought back hope and has given these lads a sense of purpose. Its almost as though rain has come after a long drought. Lets hope these shoots of green grow tall.
Go to commentsFolau made the abc community cry foul for sharing his beliefs . But what did he actually do wrong ? . Nothing , that’s why Folau won in court and the Australian rugby union had to pay him 4 million I think it was .
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