"I felt lucky" - Nick Timoney: Ulster back row stars upon Ireland chance - 'honoured' for Test cap

Timoney has been a 'fringe player' amongst the Ireland squad for the best part of five years, since the back row made his debut in the 2021 Summer exhibition clash against the United States. Timoney would pick up sporadic caps for Ireland throughout the following years, with the Ulster star enjoying the chance to once again run out in the famous green jersey.

Whilst it was not the complete performance from Farrell's side, following a slow start against the Brave Blossoms, Timoney 'felt lucky' to be back in the mix for Ireland's first home clash of the Autumn Series.

“There were probably elements in the first half that didn't go 100% to plan but I think our ability to maintain composure and finish the game out quite strongly was pleasing. I certainly enjoyed myself, I felt lucky to be back in a green jersey and honoured so I was determined to enjoy it as best I could and I felt like I went fairly well.”

Japan held Ireland to just a seven-point deficit as the sides departed for half-time, as Farrell's men did not click into their revered top gear until the latter 40 minutes. Whilst the first half did witness tries from Jack Crowley and Timoney to build a 17-point tally, Japan returned the offensive to narrow the deficit to 17-10 for when the teams split for the interval. Reflecting upon an ardous 40-minute stint against the Cherry and Whites, Timoney said;

“They are a serious team. The result last week [61-7 defeat to South Africa] wasn't what they would have wanted but the pace and the physicality and some of the skill level they play with is incredibly impressive. The first half certainly felt like an incredibly tough Test match. We had a narrow lead at half time and luckily the lads at the end of the second half managed to pull away a bit and finish it out well but it didn't feel easy.”

After crossing for a try, Timoney was quick to credit his teammate for the opening break. “James Ryan wants to make sure he's getting his credit for the offload to put me through… when someone goes forward like that, like James did, gets a few metres, gets his hands free, that can always lead to something dangerous, so I was lucky to be on the end of it.”

Timoney was one of several names in the Ireland squad, that were making significant apperences within their own respecitve careers. For Timoney, the Ulster back row continues to build momentum following his Summer tour cap he collected against Georgia, whilst Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien bagged his first home apperence for Ireland after a trio of Tests overseas. Then add in Tom Farrell, as the milestone Munster man made his Ireland debut at the age of 32, some six years after he was first brought into the camp for the 2019 Six Nations.

“It's probably one of the massive benefits that Irish rugby has at the moment, is that there are people all around, Tom Farrell is the obvious one this week, that's been around for years and hasn't got a chance. You saw today, he's come in, and it's been obvious to Munster fans and Connacht fans before that he's more than good enough.”

“I'd say I'm fairly different. [since 2021 Ireland debut]. I would say I'm a bit more settled, a bit more mature, definitely. I'd say if you asked Andy [Farrell] and he'd tell you honestly, I'd say he probably thought I was maybe a bit desperate for it all a few years ago when I first came in.”

Timoney believes he’s developed technically as well as mentally. “I think as a back row my philosophy has always been that you kind of need to keep pushing all areas of the game. If you're severely lacking in one thing then it essentially costs the team and probably costs you.”

Timoney is apart of a wider Ulster influx that has joined up with the Ireland squad in considerable numbers. The Belfast-based side has historically not contributed their fair proportion of Ireland squad players, yet the tide is steadily beginning to turn with the re-introduction of Ireland A as a proving ground for the break-through talents. Whilst Timoney and his clubmate Jacob Stockdale starred in the Ireland senior squad against Japan, the Ulster group of Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, Jude Postlethwaite, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Scott Wilson, David McCann, Nathan Doak and Zach Ward all ran out for Ireland A in their 61-24 victory over Spain XV in Madrid.

“We were disappointed with how last season went [with Ulster]. Just the way all the coaches have come together, the leaders, the young lads, everyone at Ulster has made a conscious effort that we are going to put things right and it feels like, based on the first few games, we are making lots of steps in the right direction.”

“I feel at Ulster, we've got some unbelievably exciting, unbelievably good players. All those lads out in Madrid, plus a couple others back home that are injured… I just feel like it's an exciting place, and I think the group, there's a lot of youth to it.”

As for potential selection goes for Timoney, in Ireland's two remaining Autumn Tests against Australia or South Africa, he remains grounded but hopeful. “Yeah obviously it would be amazing for me. I'd love it so much. Who knows? I want that but I've also kind of made a commitment to not be too hung up around selections and stuff.”