I HAD TO BEALIEVE I WOULD GET BACK IN IRISH EQUATION

FINLAY BEALHAM admits he took a long, hard look at himself to earn another chance with Ireland.

The Connacht prop starts in tomorrow’s USA clash, his second Test appearance of the November window – he came off the bench against Italy in Chicago, above.

But prior to that he last played against Japan on the 2017 summer tour. Something had to change.

“I haven’t been involved for the last 18 months or so, which was obviously a bit upsetting,” said the 27-year-old.

“I’ve had to have a look at myself in the mirror and focus on things that I can do, make little changes all over.

“Just consider where I was then and where I could improve. Make one per cent changes in all these different areas.

“I’ve just had a good look in the mirror and focus on what I can do and then if I can put good performances together for Connacht, then hopefully I can get myself back in the frame to get selected again.”

Like Dave Kilcoyne, who starts tomorrow on the other side of the front row, Bealham realised it was time to lose the bulk.

He explained: “A few years ago I was really concerned with what body weight I was playing at.

“When I first started playing, my X-factor was I was really good around the pitch and I had a really big impact.

“I was working on my scrummaging and I got a bit heavier as I was trying to gain a bit of weight but then that took away from what I was bringing around the pitch

“At one stage, I was playing