Mike Lowry still has sights set on 10 time

Ulster's Mike Lowry says he wants to keep pushing for more game time at out-half.

The Belfast man’s form at full-back for his club this season saw him earn a first Ireland cap, scoring two tries in a 57-6 Six Nations tie last spring.

The 23-year-old played his school rugby at fly-half but has found opportunities limited with his province with Billy Burns and Ian Madigan the preferred pair to cover.

However, with Burns ruled out injured, Lowry started at out-half against Munster in their 24-17 United Rugby Championship defeat four weeks ago.

"I definitely want to pursue it," he told RTÉ Sport when asked about his ambitions for the future.

"I want to grow my game to another level. If I have 10 nailed down it will make me a better player.

"I’ve played international level at 15, I really enjoy 15 and I constantly work on my skills there as well, but on the flip side I work on the 10 skills that are needed, alongside Billy and Mads, and just constantly learning because 10 is one of those positions that you do need to constantly learn and you do need to get a few games under your belt there.

"Apart from that Munster game, I haven't had a lot of time in the 10 spot. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes here and there.

"But I hadn't started in a year previous to that at 10 so it will take time. Similar to it took time at 15 to learn your position and play well at it."

Head coach Dan McFarland, whose side host the Cell C Sharks this evening in a crucial URC tie, said: "Mike Lowry is now an international level 15. Arguing whether he should be playing at 10 is almost an anathema, he’s an international 15.

"He’s a talented footballer who has the capacity to be able to play 10, but the idea of him earning a cap at 15 and just move him to 10 would be