Viewers who tuned into 'Against The Head' on RTÉ on Monday night will have done so in the hopes of hearing some thought-provoking analysis on Ireland's win over England having had a few days to reflect on the performance, and to be fair, that's exactly what they got.
Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was on hand to give an interesting spiel on the balance of emotion and keeping your cool in the sport of rugby.
'Emotion is part of rugby' pic.twitter.com/CDRdUm9SZN
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 20, 2017
Sadly for Eddie, his quote 'heart in the oven, head in the fridge' didn't get the attention it deserved because everybody was focused solely on his choice of trousers.
What is so startling about a man, in the year 2017, choosing to divert from the norm and add a bit of colour to proceedings? It got to the point where he even had to explain himself, and told RTÉ that it was because he used to play for Munster.
Grand slams, slam busters, and Eddie's red pants - 'I used to play for Munster' is @TheRealEddieOS excuse #againstthehead #rterugby pic.twitter.com/NKHJ28z39D
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 20, 2017
Usually, a TV pundit would sport a tie or shirt in the colour of his team, but Eddie bravely plucked those striking red pants from his wardrobe, took a second look at them, and said 'fuck it'.
That should be respected, not ridiculed.
Sadly for Eddie, he took a bit of a battering on Twitter.
I can't hear what Eddie O'Sullivan is saying over his trousers..#loud #againstthehead
— Derek Fallon (@Derekfallon) March 20, 2017
'There's a desk on this show, right!?' pic.twitter.com/27S34m42fU
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) March 20, 2017
Who dressed Eddie O'Sullivan tonight? #againstthehead #rterugby
— Bunty (@Bunty82) March 20, 2017
Eddie O'Sullivan looks like somebody told him there was going to be a desk #AgainsttheHead
— Eoghan McLaughlin (@EDoggMcL) March 20, 2017
Eddie O'Sullivan on #AgainstTheHead wearing a RED trousers. Eddie lad, just no ??
— denis o'connell (@oconne11denis) March 20, 2017
Brave man to wear them on tv #Eddie o'Sullivan'strousers
— Michael Kennedy (@mgkennedy29) March 20, 2017
#Againstthehead has Eddie O'Sullivan mixed up the rugby show with @TV3Xpose. Lovely pantaloons
— Leeroy Browne (@leedjdublin) March 20, 2017
I hope Eddie O'Sullivan has a licence for that red trousers. #scarystuff #againstthehead
— Richard O'Keeffe (@ROKeeffe1) March 20, 2017
@RTErugby Not sure Eddie O'Sullivan can pull of those red strides!
— Joe Sullivan (@magilljs) March 20, 2017
'Heart in the oven, head in the fridge.' Eddie O'Sullivan rocking the red slacks ? #againstthehead @RTEsport #6nations pic.twitter.com/P0nkmUQMV1
— Jack Murray (@mediamurray) March 20, 2017
@RTEsport - Eddie O'S - "you can't un-wear a pair of red pants"#againstthehead pic.twitter.com/HMCrRoIjab
— Risteárd Cooper (@risteardc1) March 20, 2017
Eddie O'Sullivan all set for the summer tonight on against the head ? @RTErugby pic.twitter.com/piVVKbMF7L
— Liam O'Cathain (@liamothebear) March 20, 2017
Where did Eddie O'Sullivan get bright red trousers @RTErugby Munster mutton dressed as lamb ??
— Gerard Fitzpatrick (@GerardYNWA) March 20, 2017
And that's just a selection.
The man has made a bold move, opening the gates for lovers of colourful trousers to finally express themselves on Irish TV, and he's had it slammed in his face. Is it really such a crime? The sheer blandness of Gavin Duffy and Brent Pope's get-up, is this what we demand of our TV stars? What sort of message does that send to the viewing public?
Good for you, Eddie. Keep doing your thing and rocking your red trousers. End the stigma.
