John Cooney 'deflated' with lack of Ireland opportunities 

Ireland and Ulster player, John Cooney. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

John Cooney admits he is deflated by his ongoing absence from the Ireland setup and that his ambitions are now focused purely on being the best scrum-half he can be with Ulster.

The Dubliner is still recovering from a neck injury suffered in Ulster’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Leicester and was thus unavailable for this summer’s Tests against Japan and the USA, but it is February of 2020 since he last wore the green jersey.