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Why the calls to get 'X-factor' Harry Byrne into the Ireland team are only growing louder
Billy Burns’ miscued kick at the death in Cardiff has reignited a debate which has been rumbling on for some time in Ireland. When Johnny’s away, who should play?
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The conversation around Ireland’s succession planning at out-half focuses on two points. First of all, the players currently providing the competition to Johnny Sexton for the Ireland No 10 shirt have not looked at the required level for Test rugby. The other issue is that the next generation, the players aiming to be part of the picture at the 2023 World Cup, are not yet getting opportunities.
First of all let’s focus on the issues surrounding those currently in the camp.
Sexton is still Ireland’s first-choice out-half, and by some distance. He is not playing to the heights of old, but at no stage has his position looked under any serious threat. He started every one of Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures over the last three seasons, and was the obvious choice heading into the current championship. If he doesn’t play the full 80, the game is usually in the final 10 minutes when he exits the scene. The fight taking place behind him tends to be for a spot on the bench, rather than the first 15.
At the moment the two challengers are Ulster’s Billy Burns, who got the nod for Cardiff, and Leinster team-mate Ross Byrne.
Billy Burns is not a bad rugby player and his overcooked kick is not what lost Ireland the game yesterday, but there is no hiding from the fact he got his key decisions wrong, including a poorly-executed cross-field kick which Jordan Larmour had little chance of rescuing.
That Burns was brought into the Irish system from England, joining Ulster from Gloucester in 2018, only heightens the scrutiny on his game. The former England U18 and U20 international has found himself higher up the queue than a number of ‘home-grown’ out-halves, which brings with it an added pressure to prove his worth. He had some bright moments in the Autumn Nations Cup, but Sunday was a real setback.
Next in line is Ross Byrne, who has never been able to bring his fine form with Leinster on to the international stage. He may feel he has been dealt a cruel hand, with his only two starts for Ireland both coming in Twickenham. He is still only 25, but has yet to suggest he could be Ireland’s starting 10 come France 2023.
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Sexton will be 38 by the time that tournament rolls around, and once you move past him Ireland can point to very little Test level experience among the out-halves. Sunday’s game against Wales was Burns’ fourth cap. For all his exploits with Leinster, Ross Byrne has only been capped 11 times. Jack Carty gave a timely reminder of his abilities as Connacht beat Leinster last month, but won the last of his 10 caps at the 2019 World Cup.
Ireland’s depth in the position has also been impacted by Joey Carbery’s long-term injury issues. The Munster out-half hasn’t played any rugby in over 12 months, with a mixture of ankle and wrist injuries keeping him sidelined. Before the 2019 World Cup he had looked the obvious successor to Sexton as Ireland’s No 10. Paddy Jackson was also a regular member of Ireland squads and had been capped 25 times before a high profile court case led to him leaving Ulster in 2018. He is now playing regularly, and playing well, with London Irish, but remains firmly out of the international picture.
Burns, Byrne and Carty are all fine provincial players and have had their moments in the green jersey, but the fact that all three have failed to convince has seen the out-half succession conversation turn its focus to the next generation.
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Here, the two stand-out candidates are Leinster’s Harry Byrne and Munster’s Ben Healy. Ciarán Frawley is also a hugely exciting prospect but has primarily been used at 12 by Leinster this season, while Ronan O’Gara has seen enough in 21-year-old Jack Crowley that he tried lure him from Munster to La Rochelle.
Healy has also been linked with a move away from Thomond Park, but looks set to stay now that Glasgow have signed Duncan Weir. He is still on an Academy contract but has looked comfortable at senior level this season, making five starts for Munster.
His potential is clear, but for now the spotlight is on Leinster star Harry Byrne. Leinster supporters have been aware of Byrne for some time, but his progression into the Leinster Pro14 team at the start of this season showcased his talents to a wider audience.
'Issuing a red card in the Six Nations – Ireland’s first in the competition’s 21-year history – is clearly a bigger deal than most'
Former ref Paul Smith ??? looks at Barnes' performance and his reaction to show POM a red. https://t.co/aHflv2RFLJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2021
Younger brother of Ross, Harry was a stand-out player for Ireland at U20 level and made his Leinster debut in September 2019. In recent months he has been one of their most impressive performers in the Pro14, playing a central role as the province stormed to the top of Conference A with seven successive bonus point wins. Those displays put him in line to win a first Champions Cup start against Northampton Saints in December, but he had to pull out shortly before kick-off following a back injury.
That setback was unfortunately timed in what has been a breakthrough season for the younger Byrne brother, and he’s already pieced together an impressive highlights reel. There was the drive and offload to set-up a Jimmy O’Brien try at Glasgow, the chip-through to set up Michael Silvester against Zebre, or any number of link-ups with Frawley in a 40-point thrashing of Edinburgh.
Byrne provides the sort of X-factor which previously made Carbery such an exciting addition to the Ireland squad. Like his brother, Harry has a strong cross-field kick in his arsenal, but is more likely to run with ball in hand and take on defences himself. He has shown a capacity for brave decision making, superb handling skills and that priceless ability to make something out of nothing thanks to a quick mind and even quicker feet.
Vision ??
Execution ?Class from Harry Byrne and Scott Penny! ?#ULSvLEI #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/VhWJStWwAJ
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 1, 2020
Many of Byrne’s outings have come alongside Leinster scrum-half Luke McGrath, who was asked about Byrne’s qualities earlier this season.
“He just plays so flat, he has such an attacking mindset which is great to play with,” McGrath said. “He’s constantly talking, giving you good communication throughout the game. He’s a brilliant player and he’s just getting better and better, he had a great run of games and I’m sure he’ll be picked up by Ireland soon enough.”
Wing Dave Kearney is another who has had a front-row seat. “He’s a class footballer, he’s got really great skills,” Kearney said. “He’s not afraid to talk, can control a game, good athlete, very similar to the way Ross plays really. I have no doubt that Harry will be playing for Ireland at some stage.”
So far Andy Farrell has resisted the temptation. The Ireland head coach clearly sees Byrne as a player with massive potential. He has been involved with Ireland squads as a ‘development player’ previously and was left out of the squad for the Autumn Nations Cup in a bid to build up his game-time with Leinster. At the time, it seemed fairly logical thinking. The growing clamour to get him into the Ireland camp now is based on the way he plays the game, with the attacking spark he has shown looking exactly like what Ireland need when they’re struggling to break down defences.
Unfortunately for Billy Burns, and by extension Ross Byrne, yesterday’s display in Cardiff has only heightened calls to get Byrne into the international set-up.
Shortly after full-time, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll tweeted: “Speed dial Harry Byrne…”
Speed dial Harry Byrne…
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 7, 2021
Speaking on Off the Ball this morning, another former Ireland international, Alan Quinlan, also said he would love to see the younger Byrne brother get a call-up in the coming weeks.
“He has that little bit of X-factor, that confidence and that natural athleticism as well that you want, he’s a big guy,” Quinlan said. “I think that’s what he would bring to the team and unless we try him then we won’t know.”
It is not yet clear how Farrell will manage his out-half options going forward. Sexton suffered a head injury against Wales which leaves him as a doubt for Sunday’s home game against France. If passed fit, he will start. On the bench Burns could be backed to instantly move on from Sunday’s setback, or Farrell could decide to give Ross Byrne another opportunity.
If Harry Byrne is to get his chance, the round three trip to play Italy looks the most obvious window. Of course, Byrne is still relatively raw, his senior rugby experience largely consisting of routine Pro14 wins with Leinster. It would be a big challenge for an uncapped 21-year-old to step up and slot in at Test level, but it’s one you imagine he would relish.
There must of part of Andy Farrell, thinking, ‘Why not?’
Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
13 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
1 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
13 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
13 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
39 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
39 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to comments