Billy Burns is hoping his newly coined nickname at Ulster won't stick
Billy Burns’ move from Gloucester to Ulster came somewhat out of the blue, signing a two-year deal with the Irish club.
Some are already calling him ‘King Billy’ – it was always likely to happen when you sign a player three days before the Orange Order’s July 12th celebrations.
“I don’t know much history about it to be honest with you. We’ve had a few presentations but I’m hoping it doesn’t stick too long.”
The signing caused extra intrigue with the news that Burns is Irish-qualified through his grandfather, who hailed from County Cork, although Burns says he hasn’t spoken to Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt.
“There was an article that was released and almost made it sound like I was coming here just to play for Ireland. First and foremost I’m coming over here because I want to play for Ulster Rugby and push Ulster back up and play well here”, the 24-year-old said.
“Anything else that comes would be great. Obviously, I have ambitions to play international rugby. You probably hear it all the time, but any player at this level has that ambition.
“It was something that I always looked into doing. Obviously, being Irish-qualified it was an avenue which could open for me. It’s as simple as when a club as big as Ulster with the history they’ve got come calling, it’s a hard one to turn down.
“I was probably in a position at Gloucester where I was very comfortable. I just felt that at this stage of my career it was a chance to move on a challenge myself; get thrown in the deep end, not knowing many guys over here and see how I go.”
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He played 29 times for Gloucester last season, including 24 starts, but once Danny Cipriani’s signature was confirmed did he see the writing on the wall?
“Yes and no. I’m a confident player, I always back my ability and I like to think I could push my way into the side anyway.”
Burns revealed that Director of Rugby David Humphries and Head Coach Johan Ackermann pulled him to the side to inform him of Cipriani’s impending arrival at Kingsholm, just three days after he’d been playing at 10 in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.
“Obviously it did surprise me a little bit, but at the same time that’s rugby, that just happens. It was a tough one to take at first, but I always had this…this opportunity was always there and it was one that I was seriously thinking about and it was probably sort of the nail in the coffin, in that it was a good chance to move on and go over here and challenge myself and hopefully come in here and play a lot of rugby.”
But asked by RugbyPass whether he would have stayed at Gloucester if they’d not recruited another outhalf.
“No I don’t think so, I think I still would have ended up over here. I think the only thing was obviously Gloucester letting me go at that stage. They would have only had two outhalves if Danny wasn’t coming, so the chance of me getting let go was probably a bit slimmer. I think it was one of those that almost married together, I would not have been leaving them short in that position and it was something that I really wanted to do and like I said David (Humphries) and Johan (Ackermann) were both great and they let me go.”
Gloucester’s loss is Ulster’s gain and having played over 100 times for the Premiership outfit he feels that those miles on the clock will be hugely advantageous to Ulster in the aftermath of losing Christian Lealiifano and Paddy Jackson.
“I don’t like saying it because it makes me feel a little bit old, I am only 24, but I’ve had a fair bit of experience, albeit playing in a different league, but obviously like you said the likes of Johnny (McPhillipps) and Mike (Lowry), they’re great players but probably lack that little bit of experience so I think that is something that I can hopefully help the side with.
“I am still at a stage where I am still trying to work out what our best style of rugby is and what suits the players around me and hopefully I can be that piece that comes in and knits that all together. Don’t get me wrong it is not going to be down to one man, it is going to be down to a squad, but hopefully like I said, I can come in and we can play a style of rugby that not only excites the fans, but also pushes us up to the next level.”
Burns has never played in Ireland during his career, he’s due to make his Ulster debut on Saturday at Kingspan Stadium – the opponents are Gloucester, naturally, with Danny Cipriani set to be his opposite number. Both will have plenty to prove, Cipriani even more so, whose arrest only came to light after Burns had spoken.
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Billy Burns was speaking at the eir sport announcement that its first broadcast, Cardiff Blues v Leinster will be made free to air to celebrate the channel becoming the NEW home of rugby in Ireland.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments