Mrs Burns sparks up Billy’s match day fire

As always, mum knows best.

PINPOINT ACCURACY: Ulster’s Billy Burns splits the Leinster defence during the BKT United Rugby Championship clash at the RDS. Burns gave a standout display and was named as man of the match. Pic: Bryan Keane

Billy Burns will tell you that his mother, Donna, “doesn’t have a clue about rugby” but she could see that the Ulster out-half, known for his creative kicking from the hand, had drifted away from a part of the game where he had made his name.

A penny for her thoughts then as the 29-year old created all three of Ulster’s tries in a standout win against Leinster at the RDS on New Year’s Day by way of some sublime kicking in behind the home team’s rush defence.