Munster form will prop up Kilcoyne’s Ireland ambitions

I just try to get better everyday, whether that is in the gym or on the pitch, I’m just constantly trying to improve and add value to the team

Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne is not dwelling on his World Cup omission and is already working towards getting back into the Irish set-up.

Kilcoyne, who will be 28 next month, brought his international appearances to 15 when he played in the two warm-up games against Wales and also against Scotland.

However, he missed out on inclusion in the squad when Cian Healy was declared fit.

Kilcoyne acknowledged the setback but his priority now is to impress for Munster and be included in the Irish squad which will be called into camp around Christmas.

“I was bitterly disappointed not to be involved over there. I played in the warm-up and friendlies and thought I acquitted myself well.

“I came back here, Axel and the rest of the coaching staff received me with open arms and we’ve been trying to build a real tight-knit unit here and a real short-term focus team and I think it’s starting to pay off and I think we’re starting to play well.

“I judge myself with my performances with Munster, everything after that is a bonus. I suppose if you are owning that No. 1 jersey with Munster and you’re delivering week in, week out you’re constantly going to be in the shop window,” said the Limerick man.

The UL Bohs loosehead has chalked up 78 appearances for Munster since making his debut four years ago but he faces tough opposition for the No.1 shirt from James Cronin and John Ryan.

“I think there’s competition right across the board. I have James there, I have John there but I look intrinsically at myself every day and it’s worked so far and I’m confident it will keep working.

“I just try to get better everyday, whether that is in the gym or on the pitch, I’m just constantly trying to improve as a player and add value to the team.

“We’ve 16 games on the trot, I think that would test any squad. I think we’ve done quite well so far. We lost against Lllanelli over there, which was bitterly disappointing and is a tough place to go, but we’ve started the season really well. We played reasonably well last week against Ulster and try and build on that and bring it right into Europe.”

Munster will aim to head into the Champions Cup on a high but Kilcoyne knows there could be a backlash from an Edinburgh side who have lost their two matches having started the campaign with four straight wins.

“We have huge games coming up here that are my focus at the moment.

“Edinburgh will probably have the full Scottish front row back. They have two away losses in the last two weeks, they have a home game now and they’re going to be gunning for that.

“The rest of their internationals are back this week so I think they’re really going to target this game,” he added.