RUGBY: ADAM BYRNE INTERVIEW
Byrne making the most of his chance to shine
By Daire Walsh
TRADITIONALLY, the absence of front-line international stars to RBS Six Nations duty has provided fringe players in the provincial systems with an opportunity to stake a place in their respective squads, and for Kill’s Adam Byrne, this particular period has been quite a productive one.
Byrne has made three appearances in the Guinness Pro12 in recent weeks – and claimed his opening try at first-team level against Zebre at the RDS on February 12, and followed that up with another in the return fixture last Sunday.
Although he has always felt at ease within the Leinster set-up, Byrne admitted that he did experience some nerves ahead of his seasonal debut away to the Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of January.
“I have always been made feel comfortable in here. It’s a pretty close-knit environment. When a bunch of the squad was away at the World Cup, it was extremely tight and throughout that tournament,” Byrne remarked.
“Once I got to play against the Dragons, I was a bit nervy before the game, but I feel a little bit more comfortable now in training and whenever I have been asked to step in and train with the seniors.”
After making his debut at the age of 18 under Joe Schmidt in December 2012 – as a late replacement against Connacht – Byrne was viewed as an exciting prospect for the Blues. He has endured a number of injury frustrations since then, but the opportunity to represent his country at Sevens level in the past year has helped him to grow in confidence.
“A couple of times it was frustrating. I got a serious leg break and then a few muscle tears, which meant it was a bit stop-start. I didn’t let myself think too negatively, kept my head down and worked hard.
“The Sevens was great, it gave me opportunities to get on the ball and get my confidence back. Even in terms of the pre-season [it allowed me] to come back a little bit fitter. That was a great bonus.”
While he is now making steady progress under Leo Cullen, Byrne is fully aware of the competition for places within the back-three at Leinster. Yet, the former underage GAA star feels that he can learn from the experienced heads within the current set-up.
“There is a lot of strength in depth, but it is important to look at it to my advantage. Working with players, the two Kearneys, Ferg [Fergus McFadden], Isa [Nacewa] as the club captain, Luke Fitzgerald when he’s played there; you can learn a lot off them.
“I am using it to my advantage to learn off them and probably annoy them by picking their brains and making Isa do video with me. It is important when you do get your chances. You are expected to fill in and do a job.”
Aside from the Leinster first-team and the Ireland 7s, Byrne has also lined out for the Leinster ‘A’ side in the British & Irish Cup, as well as with UCD in the Ulster Bank League. Byrne welcomes this interesting variety, as it allows him to adapt to the differing styles that each coach prefers.
“Yeah, you look at it 15s wise. You have different coaches, different game plans with UCD, the (Leinster) ‘A’ team, the senior team. Even from week to week there is a different focus. It’s great to have that variety and also be able to adapt to what the different coaches want.
“On the Sevens side, for me I would be on the ball a lot more. I have played prop sometimes, lifting in the lineout, so it’s a different story but that’s enjoyable,” Byrne added.