Best friends Anna McGann and Eve Higgins have become key figures in Ireland's rugby resurgence, both on the field and through their popular TikTok presence.
With a combined following of over 33,000, the duo has captivated fans with lip-syncs, dances, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the Ireland camp during major tournaments. Their natural chemistry shines through in videos, though McGann admits it took some convincing to get Higgins involved initially.
"At the start I'd ask Eve and she'd be like 'no,'" McGann revealed on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast. "Then I eventually got her, and once I did, she was hooked. Now we're constantly brainstorming ideas together."
Higgins added, "We'll both save clips and when we see each other we'll ask, 'Do you want to do that one?' It's infectious. During the World Cup, our roommates would hear silence followed by giggles as we plotted our next video."
From Shy Teammate to TikTok Star
Despite her confident online persona, McGann wasn't always so outgoing. She credits Higgins and their teammates for helping her break out of her shell. The pair first met at an Ireland sevens camp in Dublin when they were just 16, and their friendship has endured through Olympic appearances in 2024, World Cup campaigns, and multiple Six Nations tournaments.
"The first time I met Anna, she was this quiet girl on the sidelines," Higgins recalled with a laugh. "She barely spoke until our first Dubai Invitational, and then we all wondered, 'Who is this?'"
McGann explained, "I was incredibly shy. Eve and the girls were instrumental in helping me come out of my shell around age 21 or 22. They shaped me into who I am today and made me comfortable being myself."
Remarkably, despite sharing rooms during Ireland camps and spending countless hours together, the two have never had a major disagreement. Their bond continues to strengthen both their off-field content creation and their on-field performances as Ireland looks ahead to future competitions.