Big week ahead for Byrne brothers in battle for Leinster's No. 10 jersey
BROTHERS BATTLE: Ross and Harry Byrne during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
A big week for Leinster. Not just in the context of Saturday’s round of 16 Investec Champions Cup tie against Leicester Tigers, but in the internal battle at out-half where two brothers are integral to the battle for the No.10 jersey.
Ross Byrne has been an able deputy for Johnny Sexton for years now. He has rarely put a foot wrong for the province and the 28-year old seemed to be front of queue when the former Ireland captain hung up his boots after the World Cup.
Younger brother Harry had been hailed as the ‘Chosen One’ but then one too many injuries held his progress in check. Now fit and firing, he has started some massive games in the absence of his sibling who injured a bicep against Munster in late November.
Ross has been back since mid-February and got the nod for URC ties against Benetton, Cardiff and Zebre, but he only came off the bench last Friday against the Bulls at the RDS when Harry wore the No.10 jersey.
That felt significant.
Harry banked starts away to La Rochelle, Munster and Leicester while Ross was unavailable and before that impressive win against Jake White’s South Africa. All told, it’s a nice conundrum for Leinster and for attack coach Andrew Goodman.
“It’s the first time I’ve had it,” he said of the sibling rivalry. “Someone at a barbeque was asking me the same question. They’ve got a good relationship. They both want to be in the ten jersey along with Sam [Prendergast] and Frawls [Ciaran Frawley].
“It’s good competition. When the team is named and if they are both in the group they will help each other along and help each other through the week. It must be a funny dynamic at the dinner table at home.”
That’s why the next team announcement feels so big.
Leo Cullen will talk to the media on Friday and will no doubt dilute its importance in terms of any long-term significance but it feels like a seminal moment is upon us at a position of absolutely crucial import for the province.
It may be that Prendergast proves to be the man for further down the line but the impression has always been that Harry possessed a higher ceiling than Ross and the presence of Frawley adds another layer to it all.
The Skerries man provides a utility option for Leinster that the other two can’t. The Byrnes are tens to their core so Frawley’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a far more attractive option on the bench though he clearly isn’t seen as a ten by Leo Cullen.
The fact that Harry, who played 33 minutes between the Six Nations games against Scotland and Italy, was the one handed the keys to the ignition against the Bulls, and in what was a very strong XV, means this feels like his time is approaching.
What’s clear is that he is progressing again after that time on the sideline.
“I just think that consistency of time in the saddle,” said Goodman. “He had a pretty torrid couple of years, the year before I came and then last year. He has had a couple of little injuries but a lot more consistency in terms of being on the training field running the team.
“And then opportunities to start big games as well. That’s been great for him and then the opportunity to play in big games in the Six Nations because all that experience he builds up there will help us going forward as well.”
There is another potential complication.
Frawley, who is carrying a foot injury, is one of eight players hoping to reach full fitness for the weekend’s game in Ballsbridge. Others includes scrum-half Luke McGrath and centre Robbie Henshaw who are both following graduated return-to-play protocols.
Full-back Hugo Keenan is to be assessed for a hip problem, centre Garry Ringrose and loosehead prop Andrew Porter have shoulder issues while Jimmy O’Brien and Charlie Ngatai are close to returns from neck and calf injuries respectively.
James Ryan is a longer-term absentee with an arm injury.
“There was a few of the boys out, running around today,” said Goodman. “The HIA boys will just follow the graduated return to play. They’ve a different situation there. Garry was out running around, doing a bit today. JR is a little bit longer.
“Most of the boys were out doing some form of training, we’ll see how they go.”
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