Shutdown and injury combine to stall Baloucoune's Ireland bid

Players, from left, Michael Lowry, Stewart Moore, Robert Baloucoune, Marcus Rea and Tom O'Toole during Ulster Rugby squad training at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Picture: Robyn McMurray for Ulster Rugby via Sportsfile

Things were happening for Robert Baloucoune last spring.

Six tries in eight appearances for Ulster this season franked the abilities demonstrated in his breakthrough 2018-19 campaign. Andy Farrell gave further fuel to his ambitions by making him one of four up-and-coming players to be invited into Ireland camp.