Former Ireland international Alan Quinlan believes Harry Byrne should be considered by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
Ulster’s Billy Burns replaced the injured Johnny Sexton during yesterday’s Six Nations defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
Sexton is set to have a HIA (Head Injury Assessment) today after taking a knock to the head, making him a doubt for next Sunday’s game against France
Ross Byrne is one of the potential replacements but Quinlan thinks the younger of the Byrne brothers, Harry should come into the reckoning.
“He probably should have been in the squad in the first place anyway, he’s training with Ireland anyway” said Quinlan.
“If you go back to Ntimak in France, who made his debut as as 18 or 19 year old a couple of year ago, his first eight or ten games were very poor for France, he made lots of mistakes, missed a lot of kicks, missed touch finders and they stuck with him and look where he is now, he’s a very important part of France, I know he’s injured at the moment”,
“Harry Byrne has huge potential” says Quinlan,
Meanwhile Ireland captain Johnny Sexton believes they can get back on track in the Six Nations next weekend
Andy Farrell’s side host France at the Aviva Stadium looking to bounce back from yesterday’s 21-16 defeat to Wales in Cardiff
Ireland slipped behind against Wales yesterday and were starting to turn the game around when in the 14th minute when Peter O’Mahony was dismissed for a high challenge on Tomas Francis.
Flanker O’Mahony powered in and caught Francis in the head with an elbow, prompting referee Wayne Barnes to consult the television match official before producing a red card.
Ireland responded with a prolonged period of pressure, albeit without being able to find a way through a stubborn Welsh defence.
Farrell’s men went into half-time 13-6 ahead courtesy of a converted try from Tadhg Beirne after superb play from Robbie Henshow who broke the line and then passed to Josh Van Der Flier.
In the second half, sloppy play caused Ireland to concede possession, allowing George North to burst past Iain Henderson and Lowe to touch down wide on the right.
Ireland lost Sexton for the final 10 minutes of the game after he was forced off for a head injury assessment.
The 35-year-old was visibly frustrated as he trudged from the field having been caught in the head by the knee of Justin Tipuric.
Ireland set up an intriguing finale courtesy of a Billy Burns penalty, leaving the score 21-16 with eight minutes remaining, but errors cost Ireland including a kick out over the end line by Billy Burns when Ireland could have went for a line out on five metres or so out.
