Why are Declan Rice and Jack Grealish being booed against Ireland?

The duo both represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level, but chose to switch international allegiance when called up by England at senior level

Declan Rice held his hands up in apology after scoring for England against the Republic of Ireland (The FA via Getty Images)

England midfielder Declan Rice did not celebrate and held his hands up in apology when he scored the opening goal against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, after he and Jack Grealish were booed by the home fans.

The entire England squad will have been expecting a frosty reception in their Nations League against Ireland, though Rice and Grealish have been targeted by boos and jeers with both having ‘betrayed’ Ireland in the past in the eyes of the home supporters.

Grealish, though, did not hold back after scoring England’s second goal of the afternoon following a stylish move. The recalled forward, who missed out on Euro 2024, enjoyed his moment in front of the England fans after being booed throughout the first half.

• Amid the chaos of Dublin, Lee Carsley has quietly revealed England’s new direction

(Getty Images)

Grealish and Rice represented Ireland at youth level, with both making appearances for the U17 and U21 sides in the past. However, they eventually pledged their international futures to England.

Rice, who was born in Kingston upon Thames, and Birmingham-born Grealish, both qualified to represent the Irish through their grandparents, but turned their back on Ireland and declared for the Three Lions.

When did Declan Rice play for Ireland?

Rice represented Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level while playing at West Ham, and even made three appearances in friendly fixtures under Martin O’Neill. However, O’Neill hesitated in calling him up for competitive fixtures, and so Rice eventually declared for England in 2019.

In 2020, Ireland’s manager at the time, Mick McCarthy, had promised to build a team around Rice, and said that his decision “went down like a lead balloon”, with the current Arsenal midfielder having “kissed the jersey” after scoring for the U21s, reports The Guardian. To make matters worse, Rice’s first England call-up came a day after he was named as Ireland’s young player of the year.

Rice has since made 58 appearances for England, having been a key player at two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

Rice made three friendly appearances for Ireland in 2018 under Martin O’Neill (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

When did Jack Grelaish play for Ireland?

Unlike Rice, Grealish never made an appearance for the senior team, though he did play for the U17s, U18s and U21s.

In fact, he actively declined a call-up to the senior side in 2014, having been contacted by Gareth Southgate, who was then manager of the England U21 side. Grealish went on to declare for England the following year.

The Manchester City winger has 36 caps for England, though he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024, so he will look to make an instant impression and he aims to cement his place in Lee Carsley’s future plans.

Grealish did not make a senior appearance for Ireland, but played in their youth teams (Corbis/Sportsfile via Getty Imag)