Downey still dreaming of Ireland call-up

James Downey hopes his move to Munster will help earn him a call-up from Irish coach Declan Kidney.

Downey, 31, joins the province on a two-year contract after spending the last five seasons in the English Premiership with Northampton Saints.

And the inside centre aims to ‘keep knocking on the door’ in his quest for a first international cap.

Downey said: “I’d still like to think I could do a job there (at inside centre) but that’s up to Declan. All I can do is keep knocking on the door by continuing to play regularly at as high a level as I can. Hopefully then they’ll take notice. As long as I’m playing as well as I can I’ll have no regrets. It would be amazing to play for my country but that’s in other people’s hands. Going back home, may help my cause, but it might not either.”

The Drumcondra native admitted he questioned his career choice after failing to nail down long-term deals with Connacht and Munster.

“I was worried. I went to Italy (playing with Calvisano) and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was looking at the possibility of a normal career because I knew I didn’t want to stay over there for the rest of my life.”

Downey moved from Italy to Northampton where he resurrected his career in style. In five seasons in England, the former Clontarf player has won the LV Cup, the Amlin Challenge Cup and played in a Heineken Cup final. He’ll end his Saints stint in May just shy of 150 appearances.

“I came here on a one-year contract not knowing what was going to happen but things just worked out. I put in the hard work and reaped the rewards. I’d like to think things have worked out well for both parties. I’ve been at the bottom and I think you appreciate things a bit more when you’ve been at the bottom.”

Now his focus is on Munster and the countdown is on to his return.

“I’d like to think my game has improved considerably since I was last there,’’ Downey said.

“I’m desperate to win things and am excited about going home.

“I’ll do everything I can to make Munster successful.

“I can’t wait to play in the red jersey again.”