Byrne relishing Scarlets clash
Daire Walsh
With four tries from his last two competitive appearances, Leinster winger Adam Byrne is feeling confident ahead of the province’s Guinness PRO12 meeting with the Scarlets tomorrow.
In the absence of several frontline players because of international call-ups, the Kildare native will be given another chance to impress by Blues head coach Leo Cullen, and he credits the experienced players within the set-up for his current vein of form.
“I think it’s important to be confident in yourself. Especially to portray it on the pitch. It comes off the back of training, off the back of little chats. Like I said, Isa [Nacewa] has been a great mentor, Zane [Kirchner] has been a great mentor, the two Kearneys, Ferg [Fergus McFadden],” Byrne said this week.
“I’ve learnt a lot off everyone in the positions I play in. Just chatting to them in training, they give you good feedback. We’re a real tightknit bunch. There’s that real brotherhood there. We all give each other that confidence, and then it’s just bringing it to the field.
“It’s great playing in front of a packed RDS. The noise is incredible, but just to hear the common voices saying well done, and giving you a pat on the back, means so much to you. It just builds your confidence.”
Byrne has represented Ireland at U20s and Sevens level in the recent past, and with five Leinster players being handed debuts by Joe Schmidt during the present Guinness Series, he recognises that hard work at the provincial grade can eventually pay off.
“Yeah, seeing the five new Leinster caps, it’s great. I’ve played with Joey [Carbery] and Garry [Ringrose] underage, James Tracy actually grew up in the same village as me [Kill]. Then you have Dan Leavy, I would have played with underage as well, and Luke McGrath.
“It’s unreal to see them getting their chances. They’ve worked so hard, I’ve seen them in here every day, doing their extras, working really hard in training, and they’re producing on the pitch and reached that next level. It’s inspiring.
“It’s really good to see the lads doing well, and hopefully they’ll bring it back now into Leinster, because it’s a huge period for us coming up. I’m sure they’ll bring back that international experience.”