Izuchukwu hails 'special' day as Ulster contingent shine for Ireland

The Birr native was part of the side that eventually saw off Italy.

PORTRAIT MODE: Ireland's Cormac Izuchukwu takes a selfie with fans after the match. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

A day of  mixed emotions for Ireland. A win, yes, but another layer of concerns after a patchy performance that was good enough to overcome – just – a spirited, impressive and improving Italy but not one to instil fear further abroad.

Amid all this inward inspection is the unvarnished positivity from up north.

Ulster had five players in the Irish 23 on Saturday afternoon. A remarkable turnaround from recent seasons when the absence of even one was, at first, something of a shock and then, thereafter, an asterisk all but ignored.

Theirs is a contingent bringing form and results to the table thanks to the regeneration of the side under Richie Murphy and his staff and Cormac Izuchukwu, born of Birr but based in Belfast, was one of those playing his part in Ireland’s cause in Ballsbridge.

“It’s no shock because Stu [McCloskey] has been class for the last 10 years. He’s been unbelievable for Ulster and if you watch us play or watch him play for Ireland he has always been good. Rob obviously, a complete joke when he was on today.

“Then there’s boys like Tom Stewart, [Nathan Doak] Doakie and Jude [Postlethwaite] still to get their first shots. It’s class. It’s nice to come in with your [provincial] teammates but at the same time you’re playing for Ireland so you have to get around the lads.

“It’s great to be playing with lads like James and Tadhg Beirne, Big Joe, lads I would look up to. Eddie too. It’s special.” 

Nick Timoney and Tom O’Toole were the other two Ulster players to play their part in an entertaining but nervy and imperfect 20-13 Six Nations win that only extends questions about where Andy Farrell’s squad is going right now.

“It’s a tough question,” said Izuchukwu. “For me, if you look at the squad and who’s there, a lot of the lads are the best players in the world in their position. And if not then they should be viewed that way.

“Everyone on that team is so good. It’s a bit younger now but when I come in here I feel like I am in the best team in the world with the best players in the world. That’s all that really matters for me.”