‘Form hasn’t even warranted a phone call’ – Ireland fly-half’s honest assessment as he targets Test return

Ulster fly-half Billy Burns insists that he is “desperate” to return to the Ireland squad, but admits that he has to back up his performance from New Year’s Day.

The pivot earned the man of the match award after the Kingspan Stadium outfit secured a famous away victory over Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

Burns had a field day with his cross-field kicks, setting up three tries with the tactic as they claimed a 22-21 triumph over the Dubliners.

It was a return to form for the playmaker, who has struggled to find his best over the past couple of seasons.

His last Ireland appearance came in 2021 but more displays like the one he produced at the RDS Arena will get him back into the reckoning.

Successor to Sexton

Following Johnny Sexton’s retirement, Andy Farrell is looking for his next fly-half and Burns could force his way in for the Six Nations if he can find some consistency.

“It does feel like a long time. Like, I’m desperate to be back. I loved watching the World Cup,” the 29-year-old told reporters.

“My form hasn’t even warranted a phone call, to be honest with you. I’m a realist, I haven’t been playing well enough the last couple of years.

“Not from lack of trying, I do feel like I’m hopefully starting to get back to the level where I was and I feel the style of rugby that we’re playing now will really suit me.

“But again, it’s one good game, it doesn’t make me Ireland’s future number 10. I’ve got to back it up week on week in big games.”

Burns believes that, should Farrell bring him back into the squad for the Six Nations, he would be able to perform to his potential this time around.

“Everyone wants to play at the top level and I feel like I’m a much different player to what I was when I was in the last time,” he said.

“I’ve just learned a lot. I went in there and I probably didn’t express myself. I feel like I can handle the pressure a lot better than I did the last time.

“And that’s not necessarily the obvious mistakes – the mishit into touch against Wales – just generally around the place.”

Point of difference

Burns conceded that he went away from what made him an effective fly-half for Ulster and hopes his performance against Leinster can kick-start a consistent run of form.

“Sorry to say it, I’ve just got to keep playing well and see what happens,” he said. “I’m loving my time with Ulster.

“We all genuinely believe in the direction we’re going in, we’re trying to change the way we’re playing slightly and I want to play my part in that.

“It’s tough enough keeping my number 10 jersey, Jake Flannery is playing unbelievably well, Nathan Doak can step in there and play. Hopefully I can just keep building on this performance.

“I don’t want it to be a fluke.

“I want to keep building because the attacking kicking a couple of years ago was probably my point of difference and I went away from it, whether it be through confidence, lack of form or whatever.”

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