Bill Johnston: Knocking on the door at No. 10

As Bill Johnston looked around the Munster High Performance Centre at UL last summer, he’d have been forgiven for wondering ‘how am I ever going to get a game for Munster with so much out-half talent here?’

JJ Hanrahan, Tyler Bleyendaal and Ian Keatley were vastly more experienced out-halves and seemingly well ahead of him in the pecking order. Fast forward a couple of months and the much-heralded arrival of Joey Carbery was confirmed.

At that stage, Johnston was still only 21 and could have been excused for believing he was wasting his time at Munster. And yet, it was at that moment Johnson showed his mettle.

“I knew my chances would be limited so representing the ‘A’ team in the Celtic Cup became my aim,” he reflected this week. “I kind of took a leadership role there and that was great for my confidence, that I had to lead my teammates and be a leader for that team. That helped my experience and the exposure helped me to move on again.

“Then I got a few opportunities in the league that I was happy with, like against Ulster. Getting the penalty in a hostile environment up in the Kingspan for a losing bonus point was big for me. I went into that game trying to be as relaxed as I could be and it was an experience I really enjoyed. It’s not every day that a 21-year-old gets the chance to play in front of that many people. That kick at the end was one that kickers pride themselves on when there’s something at stake. I love those moments.”

Johnston celebrated his 22nd birthday last week. Growing up in Clonmel, his dad Roy coached mini-rugby for many years, instilling in Bill and his older brother David a love for the game and indeed all sports.

When he moved on to Rockwell, his ability as a rugby player quickly became evident and he was the inspirational figure in their victory in the 2015 Munster Schools Senior Cup. He graduated, inevitably, to the Munster academy but good fortune wasn’t always on his side.

“I had a few injuries early on but I’ve had a clean bill of health for nearly two seasons now,” he states.

It’s great to be playing and training and developing every week. When you’re not on the pitch actively, you don’t get the same exposure but at the moment I’m on the curve that I want to be on.

“I find myself here now in the number 10 jersey which is brilliant because it wouldn’t be the same if it was given to you easily. Every day, every week, you have to be on top of your game because if you’re not, you find yourself sliding down the pecking order. That keeps the pressure on you and something you definitely need if you want to press on.”

Johnston makes no attempt to conceal his delight at being a part of the Munster set-up — or to appreciate the help and advice he has received from his team-mates.

“Having role models like Ian Keatley and Tyler Bleyendaal is massive,” he stresses. “They are always willing to give up their time to help a younger player. When there’s a team-mate you can turn to, it is so helpful. You really respect and honour the word when they give it to you.”

Johnston has also assisted Garryowen in a number of All-Ireland League matches and believes operating outside a scrum-half like Neil Cronin has proved of considerable benefit. They have now teamed up at Munster and could see time together against the Southern Kings at Musgrave Park on Friday night.

“He tackled, scored tries, even kicked goals, he was sniping around the rucks,” he enthuses. “I remember thinking, how come he is not a professional player, a natural talent. It’s a really good relationship and whichever side we end up playing for, we have a good understanding having played all those times together.”