A perennial problem for Irish rugby is once again rearing its ugly head.
The burgeoning Gloucester forward was nervously hacking around the golf course when a fateful WRU email landed in his inbox.
Ulster line-up doesn't bode well for Ireland's burgeoning injury crisis.
The Belfast side have registered just one win on their travels since New Year’s Day and never looked like making it two despite levelling at 7-7 inside 10 minutes.
The 26-year-old former classroom assistant, who featured for the province’s age-grade teams, had been playing in the English Championship since 2020, initially at Bedford and then last season at Doncaster Knights.
England U20s may have won the ultimate prize but Ireland's young conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of grinding to a halt
Caelan Doris will skipper the Six Nations champions against South Africa on Saturday.
The Belfast-based province have endured a rollercoaster season and shoud reach the play-offs if they can topple mighty Leinster
With numerous Champions Cup teams dropping down to the Challenge Cup, Europe's second-tier tournament is set for a big restart next week.