Leinster Rugby vs Glasgow Warriors

It’s happened
before in Leinster
where players
drop out. We have
a saying that
everyone should
always be ready.
Although the situation may seem unusual,
Byrne’s previous time in green came in
similar circumstances, but he did have a
little more notice.
“Funnily enough, my last cap against
England, I was 24th man too, and got
called in on the morning of the game.
I came on for a minute that afternoon,
and I don’t even think I got a touch of the
ball. I can’t think of any time I ever got
called into a team in the warmup, like last
weekend though.”
After more than 18-months in the
international wilderness, the 27-year-old
was delighted to get the opportunity
to impress in front of a packed Aviva
Stadium - a marked contrast to his
previous cap which was played behind
closed doors.
“It was polar opposites to be honest.
There are times when there are
doubts, and there were times
where I never thought I’d play
for Ireland again. To get the
opportunity to do so last week was
incredibly special. The way it finished is
something I’ll never forget.”
Such was the lateness of Sexton’s
withdrawal, eagle-eyed viewers noticed
that Crowley was wearing a jersey with
Sexton’s name embroidered on it.
Byrne ended up with the same fate,
wearing Crowley’s number 22.
Despite that, it will remain one of his most
memorable pieces of memorabilia for
years to come, joking “it’s one I
won’t be giving away anyways”.
Byrne has been an everpresent
for Leinster this season,
playing in all seven games so
far in the BKT United Rugby
Championship.
Those seven games have
brought seven wins, but despite
that he feels there is still room to
improve.
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