By Nick Timoney’s own admission, his last Ireland cap was “a long time ago now”.
The most consistent performer in an inconsistent Ulster team, the 29-year-old has found the Test game a tougher nut to crack.
After making his debut for Andy Farrell’s side against the USA in July 2021, the back row was a late inclusion for that November’s Test against Argentina – so late, in fact, that he was sat in his house in Belfast on the morning of the game – and then started a year later against Fiji.
Despite being in various squads over recent years, including touring parties to New Zealand and South Africa, he has not featured since that game three Autumns ago.
Farrell has consistently selected three from Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Peter O’Mahony and Caelan Doris as his loose forward trio, with the odd man out providing impact off the bench.
But with the former pair away with the British and Irish Lions, O’Mahony retired, and Doris injured, there are rare opportunities to impress for back row hopefuls in Test matches against Georgia on Saturday and Portugal a week later.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times where I was frustrated. I certainly have had times where I feel like I’m incredibly close to it, and I’ve felt like if I had a chance, I would’ve taken it and run with it,” said Timoney.
“I still feel that way, but at the same time, Irish Rugby’s not in the business of just dishing out caps because you’ve had a good game. Like he [Farrell] is still picking the best four lads for the squad, and if those lads stay fit and are playing well the whole time, I mean that’s just the way it goes.”
