By:
Conor Martin
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has backed 20-year-old Connacht prop Billy Bohan to handle the jump to Six Nations rugby after being called into the Six Nations squad following Jack Boyle’s injury.
Bohan’s call-up came after Boyle suffered a lower-leg injury just 20 minutes into Connacht’s clash with Leinster at the Dexcom Stadium, where both were starting at loosehead prop.
Leinster coach Leo Cullen later confirmed Boyle’s injury could be long-term, adding to Ireland’s ongoing loosehead headache. Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy are also sidelined. Farrell, however, suggested Porter could still play a part later in the tournament once it ghets underway.
Connacht star is one of Ireland’s brightest talents
The Kildare-born Bohan is one of Irish rugby’s brightest young talents. He made his senior debut for Connacht in last month’s Challenge Cup and represented Ireland at the Under-20 World Cup in Italy last summer.
Despite his youth, Farrell says Bohan has the temperament to adapt quickly to the demands of top-level rugby, even when thrown into a high-pressure environment like the Six Nations.
Bohan also comes from rugby royalty. He is the grandson of former Ireland player and coach Mick Doyle, who famously guided the national team to the 1985 Triple Crown.
With such a pedigree, rugby runs in his blood, and fans will be watching closely to see how he translates his promise at youth level to the senior stage.
Andy Farrell has full confidence that Billy Bohan can impress at the Six Nations
Speaking about Bohan’s call-up to the Ireland squad, Farrell spoke of his confidence in the Connacht star: “You can hear the excitement in his voice, a little bit of a chuckle whilst I was speaking to him on the phone.
“I mean, it says a lot, doesn’t it, that Connacht are playing one of the biggest games in their history, I would have thought, with the new stand opening and at home to Leinster and he’s first choice. It says a lot.
“There’s some good experienced players that are behind him [in the pecking order] last weekend. We obviously followed his progress through the 20s and the games that he’s played so far at Connacht.
“The temperament is there. He’s come from good stock with his grandfather.
“He’s a student of the game as well. Maybe he’s come a little bit earlier than he would have thought. But that could stand to us all down the line as well.”
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