Ross Byrne: 'They're the kind of kicks you dream of'

Ross Byrne said he had absolutely no hesitation about taking on the penalty that ultimately sank Australia on Saturday night, as the Leinster out-half became an unlikely hero for his country at the Aviva Stadium.

Byrne only made the match-day squad at the very last minute due to Johnny Sexton suffering an injury in the warm-up.

Jack Crowley started at 10, but Byrne came on in the second half to earn his first cap since the spring of 2021.

With four minutes to go he stood over a difficult penalty with the scores locked at 10-10. The Leinster man nailed it, and afterwards reflected on a dramatic turn of events.

"Once the penalty came, they're kind of the kicks you dream of as a kicker," Byrne told RTÉ Sport.

"You want that opportunity. Thankfully it went over, it was a great result. It was an incredibly tough game... very tight, but delighted to get the result.

"I've been really happy with how the season has gone so far. I feel I'm playing probably my best rugby. My kicking is going well so yeah, look, I'm just delighted to get that chance. Thankfully it went through the posts - it just about snuck over!"

Byrne has had to watch others overtake him in the pecking order over the last year and half. He admitted it's been a frustrating period, but insisted he always had faith he'd get chances to shine.

"You just have to keep believing in yourself, keep banging on the door. Obviously there were a few injuries and I got the call.

"I got on the pitch today for the last few minutes and was able to get the opportunity to have a kick like that. You just have to be really patient, which isn't easy, and then hopefully you can get your opportunity and then take it."

Ireland's defeat of the Wallabies made it a clean sweep of Autumn Series wins,