Ross Byrne celebrates beating the Wallabies. Image: Ben Brady/INPHO A WRY SMILE breaks out on Ross Byrne’s face when you ask him what the highlight of his Ireland career was before he nailed that match-winning penalty against Australia two weekends ago.
“To have that moment, that’s what you dream about when you think of playing for Ireland. It was special and it has given me a taste for me.” “I had to take my opportunity because at times in the past for Ireland, I hadn’t taken my opportunity. I just looked at it positively, ‘Go and do what you do.’” “So people can say, ‘He doesn’t attack the line’ and there have definitely been times where that’s fair criticism, coaches in Leinster have said it to me at times, but there are plenty of times where I’ve done it very well.
He believes that those willing to look without pre-conceived ideas will see his much-improved attacking threat, his ability to pick passes and play flat when it’s on.“They’re incredible athletes and I would say I have different areas of the game that they might not ever get to, if you know what I mean. But it’s something that’s come a long way since I started playing.”
Then in 2020, he started the Autumn Nations Cup game against the English, although with no fans in attendance due to Covid. It wasn’t as bad as the year before, but Ireland were a clear second-best in an 18-7 defeat. Byrne is now in his seventh full season with the senior squad and his 137 appearances make him one of the most experienced players in the group.
He cherishes being able to play for his native province and appreciates that his team-mates all have the same trophy-hungry mindset as him. “I think a lot of my strengths would be in that area in terms of driving the team tactically and mentally,” says Byrne. Byrne welcomes the pressure that comes with the responsibility. The Australia kick was a case in point.
Byrne has helped Leinster to four Pro14/URC titles, starting the 2020 and 2021 finals ahead of Sexton, as well as featuring in the 2017/18 Champions Cup-winning campaign. But there’s a new fire burning inside him and the rest of the squad now. Byrne has an Economics and Politics degree from UCD, as well as a diploma in Corporate Governance, so this is the latest step in building a life outside of rugby.
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