1
Billy Burns focused on keeping Ulster No10 jersey before thinking about Ireland
By Josh Raisey
Ulster No10 Billy Burns is not getting carried away with talk of a return to the Ireland set-up ahead of the Six Nations and is instead remaining focused on staving off any competition he has for his jersey at Ulster.
With an enormous Johnny Sexton shaped hole left in Andy Farrell's Ireland team heading into their title defence next month, Burns made the perfect statement on Monday with a player of the match against Sexton's former side and United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster.
There is plenty of competition for the green No10 shirt heading into the Six Nations, but Burns feels he has enough on his plate at Ulster competing with 24-year-old Jake Flannery. Nevertheless, Burns' performance in Ulster's 22-21 win at the RDS Arena threw him straight back into Ireland contention.
Speaking to Off The Ball after the match, the 29-year-old expressed his desire to add to his seven Ireland caps, and said that watching the World Cup only inspired him to fight his way back into Farrell's reckoning.
"I'd love to," Burns said when asked about playing for Ireland again.
"Of course it's any person's dream to play. Watching the World Cup only gave me more incentive to try and get back there, but I'm going to be boring, it's the same old- one good performance doesn't give me the right to be talking about that yet.
"I need to keep backing it up, keep working hard. I'm really enjoying playing with this group of boys and I'm enjoying the process of us getting better. I'll keep doing what I'm doing- it's tough enough keeping the No10 jersey at Ulster at the moment, Jake Flannery's putting huge pressure on and he's playing incredibly well. I'll keeping doing my stuff here, keeping working on my game- I know I've got plenty of areas to work on."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
3
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
4
Fissler Confidential: One England international in, one out for Bath
5
Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
Go to comments