Munster's Billy Holland is keeping it in the family

Billy Holland’s recent elevation to the captaincy of the Munster rugby team ticks another box for the famous Cork rugby family.

Fri, 04 Mar, 2016 - 00:00

Charlie Mulqueen

His grandfather, Redmond Holland, captained Highfield to their first Munster Junior Cup triumph in 1937 and later became a Munster selector.

Billy’s father Jerry earned three Irish caps and served as just about everything with Munster in the amateur era and as the game turned professional.

Now 30 year-old Bill is carrying on the proud tradition, leading Munster at one of the most challenging times in their proud history.

Sunday’s win in Treviso gave them a little wiggle room where European Cup qualification is concerned and Holland accepts huge work is required to qualify for the knockout stages of the Guinness Pro 12.

“We have four games at the moment that we’re treating like a cup final,” said Holland. “Last weekend was a must-win against Treviso who are in a dogfight with Zebre for a place in Europe next season. It was a very tough game, it was like playing in the Killing Fields in a club game, the kind a lot of us would have experienced over the years. Sometimes you’re better off without the ball ...

“We got the win and we’re treating the game against the Dragons as a cup final again. Our record at Thomond Park this season has been really poor, I think we have won more games away than at home, and that’s not good enough. Winning is a habit. You gain momentum from winning. Likewise, when you’re in a rut and losing games like we were in December, there’s a snowball effect except it’s in the wrong direction and it’s hard to get out of that rut.”

With Peter O’Mahony ruled out by serious injury and CJ Stander away with Ireland, Holland has assumed the captaincy. It’s a role he relishes. “It’s fantastic and I’m thoroughly enjoying it,” he enthused. “It’s a great honour to captain my province. I’ve been around here for 10 years since leaving school.

“We’re a tight knit squad during the Six Nations, guys who don’t sometimes get a chance get in during this window. So it’s more of a squad effort during that time, there are a few extra guys coming in and that’s great and to captain those I played with over the years is fantastic.”

During a fine career at CBC, Cork Con and Munster, Billy Holland has been happy to line out in the second row or anywhere in the back row. And that situation has not changed. “Put me on the wing ... I have an AIL medal as a number eight,” he jokes. “I’m happy in all positions. For me, 6 and second row are quite similar, my days as a number eight may be over but I’m comfortable in both positions.”

For all his proven leadership qualities and consistency of performance, Holland’s position once Peter O’Mahony is fit again and CJ Stander and Donnacha Ryan return from international duty, may well be in jeopardy. Is this a source of frustration for him?

“There’s always that in the back of your mind but the important thing is when you do get opportunities, you take them and do as well as you can,” he reasoned.

“There’s no point in looking too far ahead. You would drive yourself mental if you were waiting for fellas to come back and take your place.”