Ross Byrne shows the path to Ireland call, says Stuart Lancaster

KICKING ON: Ross Byrne has ably deputised for Johnny Sexton in the campaign so far. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Stuart Lancaster says that a whole host of Irish players should be looking at Ross Byrne’s journey from international exile to Johnny Sexton’s heir apparent and using it as a roadmap for their own Test ambitions.

Byrne’s appeared to be a face that just didn’t fit when it came to Andy Farrell and his brains trust. He went 20 months without a cap up to last November when he was drafted in late as emergency cover and kicked the winning penalty against Australia.