Ross Byrne firmly back in Ireland fold thanks to hard work and attitude

Ross Byrne's attitude has been key since returning to the Ireland frame, according to Stuart Lancaster.

The 27-year-old out-half now has 16 Ireland caps but had been out of favour until last autumn but has since usurped Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Billy Burns, Jack Crowley, and even younger brother Harry, to become Johnny Sexton’s deputy.

His appearances off the bench for Ireland against Australia, Wales and France, where he kicked five points and saw Ireland through most of the second half, have shown him in a new light having had to endure sporadic and largely frustrating involvements since making his international debut in 2018.

"He’s got a good level of self-belief, which is built on a firm foundation, he does the work," Leinster senior coach Lancaster told RTÉ Sport.

"He’s very committed to Leinster so when he didn’t get his opportunity with Ireland he just rolls his sleeves up and threw himself back into Leinster.

"It has served him well. It has meant more and more game time which means more and more decisions and increasing confidence and belief.

"He’s grown as a leader, he’s had to be patient and he’s going about it the right way. He’s letting his performances on the field drive and influence the coaches.

"Clearly he did enough in camp to get on the bench, they trust him to come off the bench and I think in both games he’s done extremely well."

New Ireland call-up Jamie Osborne has also seen at close range the work-rate of Byrne.

The Naas man made his Leinster debut at the start of 2021 and knows exactly how Byrne has worked his way back into favour with Andy Farrell.

"He’s a really good leader on the pitch, he gives everyone outside him such confidence," said the centre, who is hoping to line out for the BTK URC leaders