Headbanger Porter's heavy metal prep for Italy

Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Vulgar Display of Power, Far Beyond Driven, the classic metal albums all lullabies to the ears of Andrew Porter.

One might think that it would be difficult to fall asleep to the angry screams of Pantera's beseechment for just Five Minutes Alone, or the thundering hooves of The Four Horsemen, who have come to take your life, as per Metallica.

Last week Porter’s front row partner Finlay Bealham revealed the duo shared more than rugby teams and positions, that being a love of heavy metal music.

And speaking to reporters prior to today’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome, it was the 27-year-old Dubliner’s turn on Desert Island Discs.

"I can’t remember what movie, but someone says basketball is like jazz...but rugby is very heavy metal in terms of the clattering you’re doing to your body," says the Leinster player, who won his 50th cap in the win over France last time out.

"It suits me, it’s my type of game."

Elaborate.

"I listen to it going asleep. Ah, the classics. Pantera, Metallica. Anything."

So match-day prep.

"I have my own process on game day," he says.

"I try not to get into the heavier music too early because then I just get amped up too soon.

"I would listen to it on game-day. It’s one of my processes and how I build into the hype of the game.

"Usually when we’re getting on the bus, except sometimes it’s a bit heavier than Metallica, it’s a bit of death metal.

"I still have to go see [Rammstein]. They were supposed to come to Belfast two years ago but it got cancelled."

Unfortunately for Porter and Bealham, they don’t get assigned to the decks that often.

"I do that [headbanging] most days around here. I put it on the gym there the other day and within a minute it got turned off,