Wycherley aims to act on O'Connell feedback for Ireland hopes

It's a common refrain from those left out of Ireland squads, but Fineen Wycherley aims to impress Andy Farrell by getting stuck in with Munster during the international window.

Capped against the USA in the summer, 24-year-old Wycherley missed out on selection this time around with Ulster’s Kieran Treadwell, whose last cap came in 2017, seemingly jumping the queue as back-up to regular second row squad members James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird and Iain Henderson.

Ireland have just decamped to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp ahead of next Saturday’s opening Guinness Six Nations tie at home to Wales, while Munster face Zebre in Italy tomorrow before meetings with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dragons, Bulls and Lions, with the last two dates to be confirmed.

"I’ve talked to Paul [O’Connell, Ireland forwards coach] about it," said the Bantry man when asked about getting feedback from the Irish management.

"I suppose from my side, I think I was happy with the Connacht game and the way the Ulster game went but, for me, I didn’t get into the game too well against Castres.

"I think that was one of the main factors.

"For me, it is just trying to progress now, improve in all areas.

"Unfortunately, with the whole Covid crisis and the South Africa thing, I have missed out on a few opportunities.

"I am slowly getting into the rhythm of things, playing Connacht and playing Ulster, playing the Castres game away and then the game at the weekend coming off the bench, I was quite happy with that.

"I’m just going to try keep building over the next few weeks and hopefully put my hand up again to get an opportunity if it comes.

"For me it’s about concentrating on getting better, playing well for Munster and hopefully my opportunities will come