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Interviews

Ryan Caldwell: how tattoos trace his rugby life rebuilt

Former Ireland and Ulster forward Ryan Caldwell opens up on his tattoos, addiction and recovery ahead of his new memoir, White Lines.

Ryan Caldwell in stained glass, fingers at temples

Ryan Caldwell, the former Ireland and Ulster forward, talks about the first tattoo he got at 18.

"The first tattoo came when I was 18."

The tattoo has stayed with him ever since, through Ulster, Bath and Exeter, and the years that followed.

«It was Sanskrit for ‘strength’. My mum cried and I was like: ‘Och, Mummy, it’s only skin deep.’».

He has since worked through that period with the help of ayahuasca, breathwork and meditation, and now counsels others going through similar struggles.

The ink now covers his torso and arms.

His book, White Lines: a Rugby Life Broken and Rebuilt, is due for publication.

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