TIME TO EXORCISE GHOSTS OF 2019

ROSS BYRNE has banished the bad memory of his last start in Twickenham – as he hopes for another one on Saturday.

The first and last time Byrne started for Ireland was in that ill-fated World Cup warm-up in August 2019 and he suffered as the visitors were routed 57-15.

But with Johnny Sexton, inset, injured and Billy Burns making his debut just last week, Byrne, who has come off the bench five times since then, may be the No10 who Andy Farrell turns to when he names his line-up this morning.

“It’s a long time ago now,” said Byrne of that first start. “I think we’re a completely different team and England are probably a slightly different team as well.

“I’ve had a few games like that where the team is going backwards, but you just have to do what you can to try and get the team back on an even footing.

“As a team, the last time was obviously very disappointing to lose the way we did and we probably felt we didn’t really fire a shot.

“We didn’t get off to a great start but again it’s a long time ago. We’ve grown a lot since so we’re looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.”

Trusted at Leinster to play in place of Sexton, Byrne has played in plenty of big club fixtures.

But he is yet to prove he can take charge to the same extent at Test level and Farrell dropped him from the bench after Ireland’s Six Nations loss in Paris three weeks ago.

“It was obviously frustrating not to be involved in the matchday squad,” said the 26-year-old, right, reflecting on missing last week’s opening Autumn Nations Cup win over Wales.

“Everybody wants to play, obviously, but you just have to prepare the team as best as possible and try to put your hand forward for the following week.”

Always confident, Byrne believes he has improved a lot in recent years.

“Yeah, I think I’ve come a long way, obviously playing most weeks makes a big difference for Leinster,” he said.

“The more game time you get the more experience – certainly in the big games – makes a huge difference.

“So I think my all-round game has been developing nicely. I definitely feel like I’ve put myself in a good place.”