Ireland call rekindles Holland’s Munster fire

Only a call-up to the Emerging Ireland tour to Romania stopped Billy Holland from having a long and miserable summer after a frustrating end to Munster’s season.

Two semi-final defeats, in the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect Pro12, had left the lock frustrated, disappointed and so sick of rugby, he did not even watch the finals he felt Munster should have been playing in.

Then came the call to represent his country for the first time since his Ireland U21 days, and the effect of the selection has taken even the 29-year-old Cork man by surprise. Set for his seasonal debut on Friday when Munster complete their pre-season preparations against London Irish in a SEAT Challenge game at Waterford’s Regional Sports Centre, Holland is facing the new campaign under head coach Anthony Foley with renewed energy.