'I knew I would be back' - Baloucoune ready to take his chance

Robert Baloucoune says he's a patient man, and you'd be inclined to believe him.

The Ulster wing will win his third Ireland cap this Saturday against the Springboks, almost 12 months on from his second, and 16 months from his first.

He made a memorable start to his Test career, scoring a stunning individual try on debut against the USA, and earning a second cap this time last year against Argentina.

But the first half of 2022 proved to be one of frustration. An injury for Ulster during the Champions Cup saw him lose out on minutes at just the wrong moment, as Mack Hansen passed him in the winger queue when the Six Nations rolled around.

And while his form never dipped for Ulster, a hip injury suffered in their agonising URC semi-final defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town saw him miss out on a spot on the summer tour of New Zealand, which he admits was a tough one to watch from home.

"I tore the tendon in my hip, and it was bad timing, missed the New Zealand tour and it was pretty disappointing, pretty gutted to watch it," he sayd.

"Obviously it was a great result, and great for the lads, but you want to be part of that situation and experience, so I was kind of gutted to miss that.

"I'm a pretty patient guy to be honest. The injuries, yeah they were disappointing, but I knew I would be back, and my main point was just trying to get back and trying to get stronger.

"I’ve had a few setbacks but I’ve never really been down on it, I’ve just been trying to get past that stage and get back into being fit and healthy as quickly as possible."

Baloucoune returns to the Irish squad via Emerging Ireland (below), having toured South Africa with Simon Easterby's side last month, and impressing in the wins against the Griquas and Cheetahs.

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