Munster move has given Billy Burns 'a new lease of life'

No team will ever be as good as they are in the few days before a season kicks off.

The ground is firm and the weather is still fair and the possibilities for the next nine months are endless.

A few days out from his competitive debut with Munster, Billy Burns is a picture of optimism.

Twelve months ago, the prospect of starting this season in a Munster shirt would have seemed a bizarre move, but rugby has a habit of throwing up curveballs.

Back in April when Munster confirmed the Ireland international out-half would be joining their squad this season, Graham Rowntree admitted he was surprised a player of Burns experience was being let go by Ulster, who were looking to balance their books in a challenging financial period.

Ulster's loss was Munster’s gain. Jack Crowley’s ascent to Ireland’s first choice ten, and Joey Carbery’s decision to move to Bordeaux-Begles in France, left the province looking for an experienced option who could run the show week-on-week, and help bring on younger prospects like Tony Butler and Dylan Hicks.

While Crowley currently owns the 10 shirt at Munster, Burns has no intention of coming to the province simply to keep it warm for him on the days he’s unavailable.

A seven-cap Ireland international, Burns played more than 110 games across six seasons for Ulster where he was largely first choice, and believes he still has a lot more to give having just turned 30 this summer.

"I was at Ulster for such a long period of time and I loved my time there, I've nothing but good things to say about the place, but sometimes a change in environment, in ideas, maybe a way of seeing the game has really given me a new lease of life I think," he said, ahead of what is expected to be a competitive debut in Munster’s BKT