Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BURNS MIGHT
Henderson hails Ulster colleague Billy
IAIN HENDERSON wants Billy Burns to master the commander role for Ireland as effectively as he has done for Ulster.
Burns gets his first start at No.10 against Georgia after coming off the bench against Wales and England in the previous two Autumn Nations Cup games.
In an experimental line-up, Andy Farrell will need Burns, 26, to run the show in the way that has impressed Henderson at the province he joined from Gloucester in 2018.
“Billy ’s obviously been an asset to the management at Ulster, who somehow managed to get their hands on him,” said Henderson, who makes his first Test start since February.
“It was a fantastic signing for us. He’s been unbelievable up there. He’s slotted in seamlessly.
“I’ve great admiration for him taking a leap of faith, backing himself and coming over.
“He’s worked incredibly hard for what he’s got over the last couple of years. He’s really fitting into that commander role, if you like, and the players up in Ulster respect him.
“Although he mightn’t be the oldest player, he comes with a fair bit of experience, over 100 caps for his previous club.
“What goes hand in hand with that is how well he gets on with everyone, it gives the players a reason to follow him or follow the example he sets.
“And when he slotted in down here, he’s done that really well.”
Predictably, Ross Byrne found the going tough at Twickenham and Farrell needs an assured pair of hands against the group minnows.
But the Ireland boss is also giving Burns a license to thrill.
“Billy is an attacking threat, he isn’t j ust a ball-handling or kicking attacking threat, he’s an attacking threat at the line,” Farrell said.
“He can take people on, he’s got a turn of speed and a bit of explosiveness about him. Hopefully he can bring a bit of
A RARE TALENT Billy Burns during time at Gloucester (left) and with Ulster (above). Circled, Ireland lock Iain Henderson
that as well as some guidance of being able to marshall the team around the field. At 10, that’s an obvious one he’ll get judged on.”
Outside Burns, Ulster centre Stuart Mccloskey finally gets his chance to impress in only his fourth Ireland appearance when he partners Chris Farrell in a powerful combination.
Another Ulsterman, Jacob Stockdale, is restored to full-back after gaining some redemption for his French folly with Ireland’s only try last week.
But James Lowe misses out with an adductor problem – he has a scan today – and Andrew Conway has a hamstring issue that will concern Munster.
Tadhg Beirne gets his chance at blindside as CJ Stander returns to the No.8 jersey while Conor Murray starts again at scrum-half.
“We’re excited about writing a few wrongs from last week,” said Farrell.
“This is an opportunity for us to grow th e playing pool . Unless we give people the opportunity, how do they gain the experience?”