Ross Byrne says he would “at all times say sure” to an Ireland recall – however admits he knew he was successfully ruling himself out of Check rivalry when he joined Gloucester over the summer time.
The fly-half was on the centre of the motion in Gloucester’s dramatic 37-35 dwelling loss to Northampton on Sunday, impressing all through earlier than being yellow-carded late on for a one-handed intercept try close to his personal line.
The choice proved expensive, as Anthony Belleau slotted the ensuing penalty to grab victory for Saints. Byrne’s card regarded harsh – he was inches from pulling off the catch – nevertheless it capped an in any other case sturdy displaying for the previous Leinster man, who kicked 5 conversions and steered Gloucester’s second-half resurgence.
Byrne spoke to The Irish Unbiased in an article revealed over the weekend about (amongst different issues) his worldwide future, saying that he would by no means flip down a name from Andy Farrell, even when such a name now seems unlikely.
“If Eire ever got here calling, I’d at all times say sure. It’s at all times one thing, particularly in case you’ve performed and also you’ve had success, how good it’s.
“I don’t know if it is actually a contractual [IRFU] rule or what the story is, which is probably mental that I don’t know if it’s black or white, so I couldn’t tell you the answer.
“I was fully aware of it [that he wouldn’t get picked by Ireland] when I made the decision, but I don’t know what the future will hold, to be honest…
“I’ve signed a three-year contract, but I’ll only be 33 at the end of it.”
Ireland operate an informal but rigid policy against selecting players based outside the country — a stance that has held firm even amid recent player departures to France and England.
The one fashionable exception was Johnny Sexton, who continued to function for Eire whereas at Racing 92 a decade in the past.
Byrne, capped 23 instances, was a part of Eire’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad however slipped down the pecking order final season, with Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast now firmly established as Farrell’s first and second alternative No.10s.
