Campaign helps John Cooney to take setbacks in his stride

John Cooney has learned to role with the punches in his career.

When Ireland’s Six Nations trip to Paris was called off as the Covid-19 pandemic swept across Europe, John Cooney could not help but laugh.

Ulster’s goalkicking scrum-half was having the season of his life, had earned three Test caps off the bench from head coach Andy Farrell, and may have been in line for a start in the No. 9 jersey had the game against France gone ahead.