US President Joe Biden confused the name of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team with the Black and Tans, a notorious police force in Ireland, during a speech in Co Louth. He was thanking former Irish rugby player Rob Kearney for a gift after a victory against New Zealand in 2016.

US President Joe Biden made a gaffe during a speech in Ireland, where he appeared to confuse the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team with the Black and Tans, a notorious police force during the War of Independence in Ireland. Speaking at the Windsor Bar in Dundalk, Biden thanked former Irish rugby player Rob Kearney for giving him the Irish team tie after they won against the New Zealand team at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2016. Biden referred to the tie and said, “It was given to me by one of these guys right here, who’s a hell of a rugby player who beat the hell out of the Black and Tans.” The comment caused a grimace from the audience, prompting the President to correct himself and state that he meant the All Blacks rugby team. The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) hired Black and Tans to aid their numbers during the War of Independence, many of whom gained a violent reputation. The RIC was disbanded following the partition of Ireland in 1921 and was replaced by An Garda Síochána. Biden concluded the speech by thanking everyone for the warm welcome and stated that they will be back.