Is the Ulster forward with farmer's strength Ireland's next big star?

Ulster back row James McNabney speaks about horse riding, his ACL injury and his dad's reaction to his first Ireland call-up. James McNabney could make his Ireland debut in November's Nations Championship fixtures That was the light-hearted response from James McNabney's father after he was called into the Ireland squad for the first time. When the news came, the 23-year-old back row was in South Africa with Ulster and, without an eSIM in his phone, was trying to connect to WiFi when out for coffee. When finally online, he saw the email that said he had earned an Ireland call-up from Andy Farrell. "I was delighted. It was a big moment for the family as well," McNabney said.

"My mum was very proud and I don't think my dad knew what way to take it at the start. "But no, they're both delighted for me and I appreciate the support they've given me." McNabney keen to show Ireland coaches 'what I'm all about' McNabney's route into the Ireland set-up is not the traditional path taken by most players. Growing up on a farm in Ballymena, he did not watch a lot of rugby growing up and only started playing in school. At the time, horses were his focus. Long before he had even dreamt of becoming a professional rugby player,