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England's Freddie Burns revels in younger brother's Ireland call-up

Billy Burns is one of five uncapped players in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Freddie Burns has said that his brother Billy’s inclusion in the Ireland squad for the upcoming Six Nations is “no less than he deserves”. 

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The Ulster fly-half is one of five uncapped players in Andy Farrell’s squad, alongside provincial team-mate Tom O’Toole and Leinster’s Max Deegan, Caelan Doris and Ronan Kelleher.

Burns’ inclusion marks the end of a quest that began in 2018 for the 25-year-old, having moved to the Kingspan Stadium from Gloucester knowing that he was qualified to represent Ireland through a grandparent. 

Bath fly-half Freddie, who is four years older than Billy, has five caps for England and said that he is seeing his younger brother’s “hard work beginning to show reward”. 

Billy moved from Gloucester in 2018 following the arrival of Danny Cipriani at Kingsholm. At that time he was not really on the radar of either England or Ireland, despite being a world champion with England under-20s. 

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The Rugby Pod take a look at some BIG transfer rumours, including one involving Freddie Burns 

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However, his form for Ulster since the move – particularly this season – has warranted a call-up as one of three fly-halves in the squad. 

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Ulster’s form in the Guinness PRO14, where they sit second behind Leinster in Conference A, and in the Heineken Champions Cup, where they are on the brink of qualification to the quarter-finals, has seen Burns selected ahead of Connacht’s Jack Carty, despite the latter going to the World Cup with Ireland. 

With Munster’s Joey Carbery ruled out of the tournament with a wrist injury, Burns will be competing with Leinster duo Jonathan Sexton and Ross Byrne for the green No10 shirt.

Sexton is the new captain in succession to the retired Rory Best. However, at the age of 34 and returning from injury, the British and Irish Lion will need to be managed throughout the Six Nations, meaning Burns could get his opportunity to play at some point.  

For now, his squad selection proves that the move to Ulster was the right decision back in 2018. 

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WATCH: Andy Farrell talks about his Ireland squad selection 

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J
JW 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'These blokes have done the jersey proud, with their buy-in and with their relish.'

Jesus PR that’s another great conclusion. I can definitely see it as blocker to bringing through new talent in time for the WC. NZ underwent a lot of change in 2018 following the Lions tour, in part thanks to key injuries. Despite the revenue spending Aaron Cruden (getting frail even at his young age then) and Lima Sopoaga (along with Julien Savea), 2 of the 3 1st5s in the Lions squad, both left before the 2019 WC for example. But when we apply your logic, their delayed departure prevented Richie Mounga and Damien McKenzie (the 15 who got injured and threw a spanner in the works) from brought through in what would possible now be considered the preferred WC preparation. Ditto on the win with a scramble of constant change their all the way through to their WC 3rd/4th playoff.


Theres certainly cause to account for certain circumstances eventuating being influenced by a Lions tour. But as both nations here select from domestic players only, theres also cause to put similar emphasis on the contracting model in general, as sometimes you can hold on too long. Ireland has a similar model, talking to another irishman here he suggests it has lead to selecting based on contracts, money being spent on a player centrally contracted. So I would not so much worry about fatigue (in part because some incomplete analysis I had done on all.rugby shows the Irish contingent have low minutes this year) but continuing to select underperforming and aging players. When in a pure context of building for a WC, one would normally want to move on an develop the future.

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