THE THRI L L O F THE KILL
Reds ace delighted to get his chance after years of slog
RUGBY SIX NATIONS
The Munster prop has been Cian Healy’s back-up in this year’s Six Nations ahead of long-term pick Jack Mcgrath – and could get the nod from Joe Schmidt to start in Rome next Sunday.
If he does, it will be first Six Nations start in only his seventh appearance in the championship going back to 2013.
Kilcoyne was in the Eternal City that year when it all went wrong for injury-hit Ireland and Declan Kidney’s reign ended in embarrassing failure.
“Was that when (Pete O’mahony) went on on the wing? That’s probably the outstanding memory,” he said. “It was a very tough day for Irish rugby.
“It was Murphy’s Law, everything that could have gone wrong that day did go wrong. It’s not great to give Declan his last game losing to Italy.
“It’s six years down the line and you’re hoping to be going back again. If you’re selected it’s about taking the chance and enjoying it.”
Now 30, Kilcoyne believes the maturity and experience of almost 200 games between his province and country has made him a better player.
“Six years of hard, constant improvements have gone into getting me back here,” he acknowledged. “Hopefully I’m here to stay.”
He jokes that his Ireland colleagues labelled him ‘Tom Court’ when he arrived in camp in Australia last summer.
Ireland were on tour there, he was out to visit his cousin – and ended up training with the squad.
Former Ireland prop Court was on the Gold Coast six years ago when the the Lions needed a replacement for Alex Corbisiero – and ended up getting capped against Australia.
But ‘Killer’ had struggled with injury before the season’s end and used the camp access as a mini pre-season.
He admits it was a “blessing in disguise” that he didn’t play against the Wallabies as his fractured wrist was healing.
Yet his time there has proved a real foundation for an impressive campaign to date. Now he can aim for World Cup selection.
“I’ve massive frustration I didn’t play more Six Nations under Joe,” admitted Kilcoyne. “I burst on the scene with Munster under Rob Penney and Deccie was in here.
“That was the natural progression, into the Irish team. Joe took over then and it’s completely the coach’s call, what he goes with.
“I was trying to play, not more individually, but you’ve got to be able to adapt. I think I was slow to adapt. I wish I wasn’t six years too slow, but that’s the way it is.
“Ireland were on the crest of a wave and it’s hard to change a winning formula.”