"Take your Opportunities" - Ireland's Nick Timoney reviews Six Nations debut and fierce back row competition

Timoney exploded off the bench mid-way through the second half, and the 30-year-old brought with him a seismic shift to Ireland's intensity for a memorable Six Nations debut. The back row was on hand to score Ireland's first try of the match, as he supported his Ulster teammate Stuart McCloskey's line-break, and broke free across the line to delight the travelling fans at the state of the art Parisian amphitheater.

“I've never played rugby in a place like that, really." Timoney said. "Some of the games I’ve played in the Aviva have been massive, but just the intensity, the show of the whole thing was certainly bigger than what I've been a part of before. So that was obviously cool from a very selfish personal point of view, but obviously twinged with disappointment.”

“The scoreline wasn't particularly favourable at the time [substituted on]. It was just come on and then the lads on the pitch have to feel the difference. There has to be an input of energy and enthusiasm and belief. I’d say we did a reasonable enough job with that for a few minutes. It felt like we were going in the right direction for a bit, but ultimately it wasn't enough. So, disappointing still at the end of the day.”

Timoney made his Ireland debut back in the Summer of 2021, as he started on the open side flank against the USA. After five years and three more Test caps, the Ulster hard-hitter has made his Six Nations calling with an impressive first outing in the Championship. With the likes of Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan, Tadhg Beirne and Cian Prendergast to name just a few, the competition for places is fierce in the Ireland back row, yet Timoney would not want it any other way.

“100% and that should be the case. I feel for the most part it is, in all positions in Irish rugby, back row always feels like it's incredibly strong. Even look at the Ireland XV team, there's no shortage of lads either in front or behind you. So when you're part of what feels like a long list of lads waiting in line, you’ve got to take your opportunities. Hard to know how that's gone, obviously, on the back of a loss, but you hope the coaches see what you're trying to do.”

"You have the benefit of sitting and watching the first hour or so or 50 minutes [from the bench]. So you should be fresher and you should have that perspective of what the game looks like from the outside and what spin you might want to put on it. So it's obviously easier as a sub to do that, but we obviously have to get it right from the start of next week.”

Timoney has an impressive try-scoring record in Irish green, with six tries in seven Test match appearances dating back through the past half decade. “I can't claim a whole lot of credit [for his try record] because I think I've only scored one try for Ulster this season!" He added.

"I put on a green jersey and sometimes it’s better to be looking. I was joking with Jack Conan at the end there, but I won't complain about that, to be fair.”

Timoney found himself in a mixed bag of emotions following the match, with the obvious disappointment of the defeat to France coupled against his own personal pride in his performance. There is a definite all-in culture in the Ireland camp, with Timoney allinged in how no player is greater than the side.

Despite his strong statement for a Six Nations debut, Timoney understands how he does not have the final say on whether he will feature on Saturday against Italy. All the Ulster back row can do is keep working hard in training, and push on to be retained in the match day squad for face the Azzurri.

“Obviously that is the case, but it would never be my focus going into games. You have to align yourself with the team fully and just be all-in on winning. I certainly thought I did that today and whatever that leads to in selection, fingers crossed I'm gonna be involved every week, but who knows what will happen. But yeah, hopefully.”