"Joe Biden’s Northern Ireland trip came at a tricky moment in the peace process, and it needed delicate diplomacy.
So when it came to his speech, Biden had the perfect story to unite all Irish people: his (fifth) cousin, rugby star Rob Kearney, scoring for Ireland in a famous win over the All Blacks in Chicago.
Unfortunately the doddery President fluffed his lines, confusing the All Blacks with the Black and Tans, an infamous British military police unit and subject of IRA anthem “Come out ye black and tans”.
“He was a hell of a rugby player, and he beat those Black and Tans,” Biden purred, before punching the air and letting out a little “oh gad”. "
