Harry Byrne muscles into Ireland outhalf debate with masterclass in Spain

Byrne took his early season form with Leinster into Ireland A's emphatic win over Spain

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025 - 18:44

John Fallon

Spain 24 Ireland A 61

Harry Byrne produced a stunning display in Spain for Ireland A to suggest that maybe the Irish out-half debate might be soon extended to a battle between three players.

Byrne, back after a stint with Bristol, took his early season form with Leinster to lead Ireland A to an emphatic win over a Spanish side that had defeated Canada and the USA during the summer.

The 26-year-old, who has four caps, converted eight of the nine tries, several of them from way out on either side, having been the key player in at least four of the scores as Cullie Tucker’s side bossed matters at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque in Leganés outside Madrid.

Byrne has benefitted from bulking up and his confident use of the ball from hand, albeit against a poor side, was impressive and he could well start being a serious contender for Ireland if this trajectory is maintained.

Key to it all will be getting ample game-time with Leinster but with older brother Ross now with Gloucester and Sam Prendergast set to be rested after the autumn internationals, the opportunity is there to battle it out with Ciaran Frawley and a get a run with Leo Cullen’s side.

Ireland's Darragh Murray. Pic: ©INPHO/Martin Seras Lima

Ireland A dominated the opening half and ran in half a dozen tries, all of them converted by Byrne, as they built up a 42-10 interval lead.

The only respite for the home side in front of a crowd of over 8,000 came in the form of two tries in the right corner from flanker Vincent Boronat, both scored from lineouts in the corner.

But with Byrne dictating matters at half-back and Robert Baloucoune and Shayne Bolton providing serious pace out wide, it was largely one-way traffic once Connacht lock Darragh Murray finished neatly after six minutes after an excellent lineout take from Alex Soroka.

A Bolton break ended with loosehead Michael Milne scoring to lead 19-5 at the end of the opening quarter before a Byrne dummy sent Jude Postlethwaite through to score.

The centre then set up his Ulster colleague Robert Baloucoune for Ireland’s fourth try and he got another three minutes from the interval after an outrageously long pass from Byrne from in front of the posts to the right touchline.

Byrne kept adding the extras each time and the flawless kicking continued when No.8 Paul Boyle crossed for the sixth try just before the interval.

By then Zac Ward had replaced Michael Lowry, who suffered a knock after he had produced a superb opening quarter which might not go unnoticed if Jamie Osborne’s injury against Japan is as bad as Andy Farrell feared post-match.

Ireland’s flawless lineout — 14 from 14 — ensured ample quick ball and they ran in three more tries after the break with scrum-half Ben Murphy showing serious gas down the right after being set away by the impressive Postlethwaite.

Sublime hands from Byrne put Bolton, whose constant hard running with ball in hand was a threat, through for a try and replacement Scott Wilson completed the rout against a Spanish side who never gave up in front of a boisterous crowd and were rewarded with a brace of tries from No.8 Ekain Imaz who plays for Biarritz.

Scorers for Ireland:

Tries: R Baloucoune (2), D Murray, M Milne, J Postlethwaite, P Boyle, B Murphy, S Bolton, S Wilson. Cons: H Byrne (8)

Spain:

Tries: V Boronat (2), E Imaz (2). Cons: G Vinuesa, G Lopez Bontempo.

IRELAND: M Lowry (Z Ward 39); R Baloucoune, J Postlethwaite, D Kelly (C Forde 59), S Bolton; H Byrne, B Murphy (N Doak 59); M Milne (A Usanov 54), T Stewart, T O’Toole (S Wilson 54); E O’Connell (D Mangan 54), D Murray; A Soroka (D McConn 58), R Quinn (L Barron 66), P Boyle.

SPAIN: J W Bell; M Cian, I Mateu, G Lopez Bontempo, A Carmona; G Vinuesa (L Richardis 52), E Bay (N Infer 68); T Futeu, S Ovejero (A García 45), J Zabala (J Domínguez 63); M Foulds (I Urraza 66), I Pineiro; M Ariceta (A Saleta 45), V Boronat (M Triki 52), E Imaz.

Referee: Tomás Bertazza (Argentina).